Former teammate Geraint Thomas did the leadout for Mark Cavendish because he’s a total G
Two riders in the twilight of their careers created a beautiful finale
Photo by: SirottiGeraint Thomas may have lost his pink jersey, but not his loyalty. In the final stage of the Giro d’Italia, Thomas was seen at the front in the closing kilometres, even though his second place was safe. GC riders are safe from incident after 3 km to go, but the Welshman was right there mixing it up.
Thomas and Cav have both had long and successful careers
The Ineos-Grenadiers rider Geraint Thomas is 37, and stage-winner Mark Cavendish just turned 38. Although from different places in the United Kingdom, their racing careers are inextricably linked. From racing as juniors to time spent on team Sky, the two riders are old mates.
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Thomas lost the pink jersey on Saturday to Primož Roglič in an nailbiter of a time trial. But that didn’t mean the Welsh rider didn’t want to be a mensch and help out his old pal Cav in the finale into Rome. Cavendish, the current British champion, recently announced this would be his last year as a pro, so this would be his last shot for a win in Italy.
Welshman powers the pack home
As the leadouts began, cycling fans everwhere noticed Thomas, who rides for a rival team, at the front. There was no reason for him to be there; he could just cruise home. And yet there he was, the first rider in the pack, helping the Astana Qazaqstan team get their fastman to the line.
Well, if I couldn’t win, I thought I might as well try and help an old mate out. Call it an early retirement pressie @MarkCavendish ? Chapeau mate ? #Giropic.twitter.com/MGZ4LFO1kv
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) May 28, 2023
GCN commentator, Orla Chennaoui summed it up best. “You know what I loved about that Geraint Thomas leadout? That was two of the best in the world racing as little boys again, friends helping each other out, riding for friendship and taking rush to the world stage, making history. I simply do not know of a comparable sport. Poetry.”
Aside: Just wait for the UCI to fine Thomas for collusion.
Here’s the clip of longtime pals and racers sharing the special moment after a great day of racing.
“Enjoy it, savour it, remember it. The world’s best. The greatest of all time”. Thank the for the show, once again, Mark Cavendish ? @daniellloyd1 @eurosport @gcntweet @MarkCavendish pic.twitter.com/k0MTd1ULt6
— Orla Chennaoui (@SportsOrla) May 28, 2023