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The thriller surrounding Caleb Ewan deepened right through the Excursion Down Underneath pre-race press convention when Geraint Thomas was once requested concerning the Australian sprinter’s vanishing act.
Ewan returned to Australian WorldTour crew Jayco-AlUla remaining season after being made unwelcome at his earlier crew Lotto Dstny, however didn’t race the season’s marquee match, the Excursion de France, because the crew focussed on fellow sprinter Dylan Groenewegen.
There were rumours of a battle between Jayco-AlUla and Ewan and an tried mid-contract transfer to Astana fell aside within the low season. This yr, Ewan is not indexed at the crew’s web site and was once no longer on the Jayco-AlUla coaching camp, however the rider, his agent and his most likely former crew are staying firmly mute at the subject.
Whilst Thomas would not verify rumours that Ineos Grenadiers have been interested by signing Ewan, he no doubt didn’t object to the recommendation. The crew recently has handiest 27 riders signed for the season, smartly beneath the utmost of 30.
“I know him well. He’s a good mate, and if he did come here, that would be great,” Thomas mentioned of Ewan, “Because obviously we lack a sprinter, and 40% of races end in a sprint, don’t they? So it would be handy to have. Hopefully it happens, but I’ve just heard rumours, so we’ll see.”
Ultimate yr, Ineos introduced their season with Jhonatan Narvaez successful the Excursion Down Underneath criterium and putting 2d total at the back of Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) within the WorldTour race’s total classification. Narvaez has since moved to UAE Group Emirates-XRG.
Getting the season began with a good fortune, Thomas mentioned, “It’s important, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. There are 10 months of the season. We started well last year with Jhonny – I think it is important to start well, of course, and we’re all motivated. But it’s just how we go for the next few months, really. Magnus [Sheffield], Kwiato [Michał Kwiatkowski], all the boys are motivated and strong, and I’ll do my bit to help them.”
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In putting the emphasis on his teammates, Thomas looked as if it would play down his ambitions for the total classification in a Excursion Down Underneath that has extra hiking than ever. That isn’t to mention he does not nonetheless have ambitions in spite of being within the ultimate season of his profession.
“I’d love to win a race again, anything, to be honest. I’d love to go to the Tour [de France] again, possibly trying to go for a stage. The GC, not so much anymore – and just be a good, solid teammate for the boys as well … try and take some opportunities and just enjoy it.”
Thomas showed in December that he would retire on the finish of the 2025 season, and if he races the Excursion de France, it is going to be his remaining look. “I’m a lot closer to the end than the start, so [I want to] make the most of it.”
