01 May 2019

Active Thomas up to fourth

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Geraint Thomas

Tour de Romandie – Stage one: Neuchatel – La Chaux-de-Fonds, 168.4km

Geraint Thomas moved up to fourth overall at the Tour de Romandie following a spirited finish to stage one.

The Welshman pushed clear on the day’s final climb, dragging David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Michael Woods (EF Education-Drapac) clear off the front.

The trio overhauled lone leader Emmanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) but were caught with five kilometres to go. Undeterred, Thomas launched another move on the finishing straight, heading into the final kilometre solo, before being hauled in by an elite chasing pack.

Eventually crossing the line 20th, Thomas now sits 13 seconds off the lead after a great day of racing.

Earlier Diego Rosa had worked his way into the day’s 13-man break, a key tactical move with a number of top teams featured. Caught with 30km to go, Kenny Elissonde then went on a brief attack on the Col de la Tourne before Thomas hit the front.

Geraint Thomas

I’ll just take every day as it comes, get stuck in and try to get the best result I can.

Reaction

- Geraint Thomas

"I felt quite good in the final so I thought I’d have a go and test the legs and see how I was. It was pretty good!

"It was hard with the run in and the headwind. We weren’t working really well together as a group so unfortunately we couldn’t stay away. But it was a good test and I’m happy with how I was going.

"It’s not just about waiting and trying to do something on Saturday. I’ll just take every day as it comes, get stuck in and try to get the best result I can. I’ll try to take an opportunity if it comes."

Stage one result:

1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 4:15:18
2. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) s.t.
3. Rui Costa (UAE-Team Emirates)
4. Michael Woods (EF Education First)
5. Damien Howson (Mitchelton-Scott)
20. Geraint Thomas (Team INEOS)

Overall standings:

1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 4:20:15
2. Rui Costa (UAE-Emirates) +10"
3. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +12"
4. Geraint Thomas (Team INEOS) +13"
5. Carlos Betancur (Movistar) +14"