Geraint Thomas is adamant the Tour de France’s Grand Depart on British soil in Yorkshire will evoke memories of the London 2012 Olympics – and he’s hoping it’s just as successful.
Thomas claimed his second successive team pursuit gold on the track at London 2012 after first taking the title at Beijing 2008 and is now part of Team Sky’s nine-strong line up for the Tour.
He will act as domestique to Chris Froome as the 29-year-old attempts to become the first Brit to win the yellow jersey two times in a row with the Grand Depart landing in Yorkshire.
The first three stages are being held in Britain, the third finishing on The Mall in London, and Thomas knows exactly what to expect having also raced when the 2007 Tour departed from the capital.
“It will just be nuts. Everyone saw the Olympics and [the road race on] Box Hill, and I think it will be just the same in Yorkshire,” he told Sport Magazine.
“Back when it was in London in 2007, you couldn’t stop for a wee because the road was just lined with people. It was just incredible.
“It was kind of like being in a nightclub as well – with the ringing afterwards, just that noise the whole way.
“Being British as well, with a big build up, I’m sure we’ll be happy to get that first week out the way, though, because there’s a lot of stress there and a lot of things can happen.
“But I’m looking forward to racing on home roads.”
© Sportsbeat 2014