'He's been brilliant' - Geraint Thomas proved Ineos bosses wrong at Tour de France, admits Dave Brailsford

Dave Brailsford, the Ineos director of sport, has admitted that Geraint Thomas proved doubters inside the team wrong with his resurgent performance at the Tour de France. The Welsh rider entered the race having been named as one of three co-leaders for the Ineos Grenadiers, but quickly established himself as the team's best general classification hope after winning the Tour de Suisse.

Ad/> The 2018 winner eventually finished in third, some way back from Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, but firmly established as the best of the rest. Tour de FranceDaredevil descending and THAT handshake – 13 best moments of the Tour14 HOURS AGO Thomas revealed during the final week of the Tour that he felt that «not many other people» within his team still believed he was capable of challenging for a podium place, suggesting that Ineos were looking to a younger generation.

Brailsford, who has worked closely with Thomas throughout the Welshman's career on both the track and the road, admitted that the 36-year-old had proved the team management wrong. “Well, if I was in his shoes I’d have a wry smile on my face, let’s face it," Brailsford said of Thomas' performance.

“He has brought his years and years of experience to this and that’s what got him his third place in this year’s Tour. «He’s been brilliant, we have seen the best version of himself.

Everybody feels it’s a very satisfying performance for him and the team.” Ineos had ear-marked Egan Bernal, the 2019 winner, as their team leader for this year's Tour until the Colombian's heavy crash in training in January. The team had enjoyed a strong classics season in the spring, building around a new generation of riders led by Tom Pidcock, who produced a fine debut performance at the