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Thomas: Thrilled to be part of Team Sky
To be able to ride with a British rider in a British team to win the Tour de France - that would be the top.
Geraint Thomas
JOIN TEAM SKY LAUNCH
Team Sky will be officially unveiled on the 4th January 2010 in London and as part of the launch they are offering members of the public an exclusive opportunity to ride with the team.
The 300 riders, who will be selected at random from all entrants, will get the chance to join the likes of Bradley Wiggins as Team Sky takes to the streets of the capital.
To be in with a chance of taking part, visit www.facebook.com/TeamSky
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Team Sky's Geraint Thomas is "so up" for a British assault on the Tour de France in 2010.
Now that his fellow gold medal winning Olympic pursuit team mate Bradley Wiggins is on board as part of Team Sky, the 23-year-old Cardiff-born rider believes this year's tour will be "well worth watching".
Wiggins, who equalled the best placing by a Briton in the Tour de France by finishing fourth in 2009, could even force his way into the top three, Thomas believes.
"I am so up for that (the Tour) now especially with Brad going to the Tour and on our team and especially with us working on a British team," he said.
"To be able to ride with a British rider in a British team to win the Tour de France - that would be the top."
Thomas himself brings high passion, strong expectations and buckets of talent to the race. He is widely seen as one to watch in the future.
"I rode it (the Tour) in 2007 and so I have got that experience. I think that Brad has definitely got a chance to podium - there is no reason why he should not. He has got the talent," Thomas said.
"Then, in the future but not now, maybe I could go for the yellow jersey - that should be an aim."
Thomas was part of Britain's stunning pursuit team - alongside Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy and Paul Manning - who smashed the world record twice on the way to winning gold at the Beijing Games.
Injury
This season has also been blighted by injury after breaking his pelvis in a 20ft fall in a time trial in March but the focus this winter is on the road before getting back on the track for the London 2012 Olympics.
Thomas said: "I am not going to ride the track this winter. I am going to get a lot of work done and ride the road.
"I think it will help really doing the training and miles rather than speed on the track."
Team Sky is being launched with the aim of producing a British winner of the Tour de France, with team principal Dave Brailsford believing that is realistically achievable within five years. The team will be officially unveiled on 4th January.
Thomas aims to be a sponge soaking up all the knowledge and help that will be available from the British squad. Having a British squad backing the team "will make such a difference," he said.
"I am so looking forward to it. There is a lot to learn. Obviously having people like Chris (Boardman) around and taking in as much as I can. I will also be speaking to Brad - he has got so much to offer."
Both Thomas and Wiggins suffered disappointment when the International Olympic Committee ratified changes seeing men's races including the Madison and individual pursuit dropped and the introduction of a six-event omnium at London 2012.
Thomas said: "The team pursuit is the only event now (in 2012) on the track for me and I will just have to work hard to try and make sure I get there."
Comments (1)
Alan Wren says...
Great news about Team Sky and the Tour de France as long as this is a long-term commitment.
Posted 11:58 29th December 2009