28 Jun 2018
Thomas takes British TT title in style
Related riders
Geraint Thomas
Geraint Thomas claimed his first elite British time trial title with a supreme ride at the national championships.
Fastest through each intermediate split, the Welshman clocked a winning time of 48 minutes and 54 seconds across the three laps which formed a 39.7-kilometre course in Northumberland.
The Team Sky rider came home 37 seconds ahead of nearest challenger Harry Tanfield (Canyon Eisberg), with five-time nationals winner Alex Dowsett (Katusha-Alpecin) rounding out the podium, 54 seconds back.
“It’s great. Obviously winning the Dauphine was a big boost. I’ve done a bit of training now since, and to come here and win the nationals for the first time is really encouraging. I rarely get to race in the UK, and to do a one-off TT like that is rare too, so I’m really happy.
“I was confident but I didn’t know what to expect. As I say I rarely do a one-off TT, it’s always part of a stage race where you’ve got tired legs and things. Obviously (Harry) Tanfield has been riding well this year and I’ve been watching him, and Dowsett it’s what he does. TT’ing in the UK is a strong discipline anyway, so to come and win is super nice.”
Geraint Thomas
To come here and win the nationals for the first time is really encouraging.
For Thomas attention now turns to the Tour de France in July, where he will debut his new national skinsuit. On the prospect of that he added: “It’s going to be great, especially in the Tour to wear that. I won the road race a few years ago now back in 2010, so to add the TT to it is really nice.”
There were further strong showings in the top 10 for Team Sky riders, with Tao Geoghegan Hart claiming sixth spot, with Jon Dibben one place further back in seventh.
