Geraint Thomas pays tribute to 'greatest sprinter of all time' ahead of Mark Cavendish's retirement

Geraint Thomas believes Mark Cavendish, who announced his retirement at the end of the current season, is the “greatest sprinter of all time" and says it has been «an honour to ride with him». Cavendish is currently at the Giro d’Italia and is expected to compete at the Tour de France this summer, where he hopes to break the stage record that he currently shares with Eddy Merckx. Ad Thomas has raced alongside Cavendish for Great Britain as well as for one season at Team Sky.

Giro d'ItaliaVoigt: Why Cavendish's retirement decision makes 'perfect sense'4 HOURS AGO Reflecting on their shared history together, Thomas said: «He told me at the start of the Giro and I didn't really believe him. I kind of thought he would keep going, but I just want to say, yeah, an incredible career he has had. “Obviously, he is still racing, he's still got to get this record at the Tour and hopefully win a stage here.

I think we have known each other for about 25 years which is crazy, time as a team-mate is 23, so It kind of puts into perspective how old we are really. »Unbelievable career that he's had. Really proud to have been a team-mate a long time, you know, winning the worlds." Thomas, who is bidding to win the Giro to claim his second Grand Tour win, added: «He is probably the greatest, well he is the greatest sprinter of all time when you see his record.

It's been an honour to ride with him and be mates with him for, as I said at the start, 25 years, time is 23, so as a team-mate obviously. So, that shows how old we both are now. Cavendish to retire at end of season as Tour de France record bid looms Roglic or Thomas (or Almeida) — Who will win the Giro d'Italia? 'My proudest moment' — Wiggins recalls helping Cavendish to world glory