In a momentous announcement that marks the end of an era, British cycling superstar Geraint Thomas has revealed his intention to retire from professional racing at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The 38-year-old Welshman, who famously won the Tour de France in 2018 and claimed two Olympic gold medals on the track, will cap off a glittering career that has firmly established him as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Thomas, affectionately known as “G” in the peloton, confirmed his decision in an emotional interview with the BBC. “I’ve been living my dream for nearly two decades now, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have achieved far more than I ever could have imagined,” he reflected. “But the time has come to embark on a new chapter in my life and devote more time to my family.”
A Decorated Champion
Since bursting onto the scene as a precocious talent in the mid-2000s, Thomas has compiled a palmarès that would be the envy of any cyclist. His crowning achievement came in 2018 when, after years of loyal service to teammates like Chris Froome, he seized his own opportunity to triumph in the Tour de France, becoming only the third British rider to win cycling’s greatest prize.
“Winning the Tour changed my life,” Thomas admitted. “Wearing that iconic yellow jersey, being a part of that rich history – it’s something I still have to pinch myself about. I’ll be forever grateful for that incredible experience.”
But the Tour is just one jewel in Thomas’s glittering crown. On the track, he claimed gold in the team pursuit at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, cementing his status as one of the discipline’s finest practitioners. In the velodromes of the world, his name will always be synonymous with excellence.
One Last Dance
Though the finish line of his career is now in sight, Thomas has no intention of simply riding off into the sunset. The proud Welshman has made it clear that he still has unfinished business, particularly with his Ineos Grenadiers team at the Tour de France.
“I’d love to go out on a high and play a key role in delivering another yellow jersey to the team,” he said, hinting at his willingness to put his experience and enduring class at the service of Ineos’s next generation of stars. “If I could win a stage along the way, that would be the perfect way to say goodbye.”
A Humble Champion
Despite his lofty achievements and status within the sport, Thomas has always maintained the humble, down-to-earth persona that has endeared him to fans worldwide. Quick with a joke and never one to take himself too seriously, he has been the consummate team player, always ready to sacrifice his own ambitions for the greater good.
“G is the ultimate professional, but more than that, he’s just a fantastic bloke to be around,” said Sir Dave Brailsford, the mastermind behind so much of British Cycling’s success. “His influence on the sport, both on and off the bike, has been immense. He’ll be sorely missed.”
As Thomas embarks on his final season at the top level, he does so with the affection and admiration of the entire cycling world. A champion, a gentleman, and a true legend of the sport, his legacy is already assured. But don’t be surprised if he has one last trick up his sleeve before he finally hangs up his wheels for good.
Geraint Thomas’s long and decorated career:
- 2x Olympic gold medalist (team pursuit 2008, 2012)
- 2018 Tour de France winner
- 3x Tour de France stage winner
- 2x Critérium du Dauphiné winner (2018, 2021)
- 2014 Commonwealth Games road race gold medalist
- 2x UCI Track Cycling World Championships gold medalist (team pursuit 2007, 2008)
