Geraint Thomas, at 38 years old, no longer understands modern-day cycling: "What was all that about?"

For 38-year-old Geraint Thomas, another grand tour has come to an end. The leader of INEOS Grenadiers finished the 2024 Giro d'Italia in third place, behind winner Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) and Daniel Felipe Martínez of BORA-hansgrohe. After the final stage, won by Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), Thomas reflected on the Giro in his own unique way.

Speaking with former rider Adam Blythe, now working for Eurosport, Thomas shared his thoughts. Last year, the Welshman was able to assist Mark Cavendish in Rome, but this time he kept to the sidelines during the frantic finale in the city center. "You always have to expect the unexpected, but I no longer understand modern-day cycling," he stated.

What do you mean? "With twenty kilometers to go in the final stage, things broke up in the wind, what was all that about?" Thomas referred to the pace set by UAE-Team Emirates. He told Felix Grosschartner at that moment that the Austrian and his teammates could take it a bit easier, which they duly did. "They are all very strong, including Domen Novak. We call him Djokovic, haha."

Thomas looking forward to Tour de France after the Giro

Overall, Thomas looks back fondly on the Giro. "I really enjoyed it. It actually went by faster than I thought, it feels like so long ago that we started in... Turin, was it? All in all, it was a good Giro," he told IDLProCycling.com and others after arriving in Rome.

"I am old, but I am already looking forward to the Tour de France. That's a whole new challenge, so I won't be able to drink much beer," he laughs. "We are going to have a great evening anyway, and then I'll soon head to altitude to help the young guys in the Tour. Saturday's stage was my highlight because I felt so bad. I was quite proud of that, so we have a reason to enjoy. We'll do that with pizzas and a beer."

"Also, I'm proud of my teammates, who all proved they are very strong both physically and mentally," added Thomas, who also enjoyed the presence of his son Max. "He's starting to recognize things, so it's cool that he can now join me on the podium of a grand tour for the third time. We'll keep those memories for life, which is very beautiful. It makes it all worthwhile."

The fact that Thomas, at the age of 38, still finishes in the top three of a grand tour, doesn't mean much to him. "It sounds a bit cliché, but age is just a number. If you just do your thing, everything will go just fine. So I'll keep doing that, with the Tour coming up. I'm looking forward to that challenge as well."