'I'm just going to try and soak it up' – Geraint Thomas kicks off final European stage racing campaign at Volta ao Algarve

Geraint Thomas in action with his Ineos Grenadiers teammates during the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve on Wednesday
Geraint Thomas inꦚ ac🧸tion with his Ineos Grenadiers teammates during the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve on Wednesday (Image credit: Getty Images)

The winner of the 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Volta ao Algarve in 2015 and 2016, with six participations to his name, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Geraint Thomas has become a familiar fi🧸gure in Portugal's best🐼-known early-season stage race over the last decade.

However, after his announcement earlier this week of his 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:retirement at the end of 2025, there could be little doubt that this year's race start at Porಌtimão on Wednesday was probably the most special of hi🔴s career.

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.