Geraint Thomas wants to 'prove people wrong' ahead of Ineos Grenadiers season debut at Volta ao Algarve

Geraint Thomas says he is determined to “prove people wrong” as he prepares to make his season debut for Ineos Grenadiers. The 2018 Tour de France champion starts his 16th professional season at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal this week. Ad/> The 35-year-old signed a two-year deal with Ineos in December and still believes he can be “competitive” in the big races.

Volta a la Comunitat ValencianaPederson and Evenepoel claim first stage wins in Besseges and Valencia02/02/2022 AT 18:16 «In cycling now everyone talks about young guys,» he told the BBC. «And if you're in your 30s, let alone your mid-30s, you're past it. So it's always nice to prove people wrong.

»There's definitely less expectation within the team — when it comes to the Grand Tours anyway. But I'm still hoping to get to the Tour in the best shape possible. If I am in that shape, I don't see why I can't be competitive over the three weeks.

Cavendish fumes as Gaviria wins Stage 6 in Oman Cavendish stripped of green jersey after crash «But this year isn't just all about one race. It's about just enjoying racing my bike and going for the win in everything.» Thomas has not had the ideal off-season as he caught Covid-19 over Christmas and also underwent shoulder surgery. He has spent time in Los Angeles with new coach Conor Taylor and says his «fitness is on the way up and the weight is on the way down».

Thomas is preparing for a variety of races this season, taking on the three Ardennes Classics in April, before some shorter stage races ahead of the Tour de France and Commonwealth Games in the summer. He is keen to look ahead rather than dwell on crashes that ruined his chances at the Tour and Tokyo Olympics last year, as well as the Giro d’Italia in 2020. /> «It