Geraint Thomas signs new two-year contract with Team Sky to extend stay until 2016
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 28/07/14 6:29pm
Geraint Thomas has signed a new two-year contract with Team Sky that will keep him at the British squad until the end of 2016.
The 28-year-old Welshman has been with the team since its inception in 2010 and has developed into one of the most versatile and valuable riders on the roster.
He is a key component of the team’s Classics squad, but is also now challenging in one-week stage races and had been on course to win this year’s Paris-Nice before a crash put paid to his chances.
He also played a vital role as a climbing domestique in Chris Froome's Tour de France win 2013, and finished this year's Tour as Team Sky's second highest-placed rider, in 22nd.
'Really happy'
“I'm really happy to be staying with Team Sky for another two years,” Thomas said in a team statement. “I have been here since the start and I firmly believe it is the best place for me to fulfil my potential as a bike rider.
“I feel very supported here and I'm excited about what the future holds. I will look forward to challenging myself both on and off the bike and striving to become the very best at what I do.”
Thomas, who is a former Olympic champion on the track, is one of eight British riders at Team Sky.
Not only is he a strong character but he is one of a handful of world-class riders that can do it all, whether that is on the climbs, flat, cobbles or time trials, which proves what a valuable member of the team he is.
Sir Dave Brailsford
He won the Bayern-Rundfahrt stage race in Germany for the second time earlier this year, and also came close to earning his first victory in a one-day Classic by finishing third at E3 Harelbeke.
British core
His performances over the last two years had prompted suggestions that he could step up to a leadership role in a Grand Tour with another team, but he has now re-committed to helping Team Sky fight for victories on all fronts.
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “Team Sky has always been built around a strong British core - developing and nurturing home-grown talent to be the best they can be – and Geraint has been at the heart of that.
“On and off the bike, Geraint is an influential member of Team Sky. Not only is he a strong character but he is one of a handful of world-class riders that can do it all, whether that is on the climbs, flat, cobbles or time trials, which proves what a valuable member of the team he is.
“Over the last three weeks of the Tour de France Geraint has underlined his qualities again and shown that he’s an exceptional rider with an exciting future. He is a great guy, a good leader and we’re delighted that he will be a key part of the team going forward.”
