Geraint Thomas: Giro-Tour Double a Mental Challenge

Geraint Thomas, a former Tour de France champion, believes that the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double is more of a mental challenge than a physical one.

What happened?

Several riders who competed in May's Giro were also on the start line for the Tour, including eight of the top 10 finishers in Italy. However, only Giro winner Jonas Vingegaard finished stage 14 in the top 10 at the Tour, and only two more were even in the top 20.

Why it matters for Geraint Thomas

As a former Tour de France champion, Thomas understands the mental strain of competing in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France double. He recalls his own struggles in 2024, when he finished third at the Giro before struggling home in 42nd at the Tour.

What comes next?

Thomas, who is now director of racing at Arensman's Netcompany Ineos team, believes that the challenge of trying to secure high finishes in both Grand Tours is simply beyond most people. "It is tough, especially when you try and ride GC (general classification) in both," he said. "It's a mental strain as much as physical."

Thomas's teammate, Thymen Arensman, who finished fourth at the Giro, was one hour 11 minutes off Pogacar in 27th after 14 stages. Thomas's other teammate, Egan Bernal, a former winner of both Grand Tours, was 11th at almost 16 minutes, having finished 10th in Italy.

The struggles of the Giro-Tour double

Many riders have found out to their cost how hard it is to double up. Four-time Tour winner Chris Froome attempted the Giro-Tour double in 2018, but finished third to Thomas at the Tour. Two-time Tour winner Alberto Contador tried it in 2015, but finished fifth behind Froome in France.

A mental strain

Thomas believes that the Giro-Tour double is a mental strain as much as a physical one. "I did the Giro-Tour once and it wasn't pretty, so I didn't necessarily enjoy the Tour after that," he said. "I was 38 and third in the Giro took a lot out of me and by the Tour I was just gassed."

A challenge for the future

Thomas is not sure if his team will attempt the Giro-Tour double in the future. "But again, for me it's a mindset thing as much as physical, so as long as the boys are up for it and keen to really go deep and suffer, then we'll see.