There has been no shortage of interest in Geraint Thomas over the years, with UAE Emirates, Saxo Bank, Garmin and Trek all showing interest, but the Welshman recently re-signed with Team Sky for an additional year, ending speculation of leaving for 2018.
Thomas, 31, was Team Sky's designated leader at the Giro d'Italia in May but was forced to abandon. He put his season back on track by wining the opening time trial at the Tour de France, and leading the race until the first mountain stage on Wednesday. He still sits second on GC, just 12 seconds down on his teammate and three-time Tour winner Chris Froome.
It was Thomas' desire to lead Team Sky in another Grand Tour that tipped the balance for him when it came to agreeing to stay with the British team. Terms for an additional season – 2018 – were already laid out in his last contract and he just had to sign.
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"Just for next year, the contract was there," he told Cyclingnews before the start of stage 6. "It was just a matter of saying we'll go for another year. I've had some good chances this season when leading the team. If I'd finished the Giro then maybe it would have been a different story. One more year, with a team like this, it will be with the idea of leading in a Grand Tour at the Giro. If I feel like I can come here and be a leader, then I'd be open to that."
Thomas was reluctant to leave Team Sky without having gone through three weeks at a Grand Tour as a leader. This year's Giro d'Italia marked his first opportunity.
"At the same time, I just want to make sure that I can do a good job [of leading, ed]. I don't want to have everyone working for me and then just bomb out. I want to get a good Grand Tour under my belt first and have that experience. Then I'll go from there."
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