Thomas unfazed as pressure builds

WEARING the yellow jersey on the Tour de France is obviously an amazing experience for any rider, but it comes with increasing pressure for Geraint Thomas as he is now in a position to win cycling’s greatest race.

But Thomas is familiar with the trappings of high-level achievement, having won two Olympic titles on the track with Great Britain.

“When you compare this to getting to the track pursuit Olympic final in London [in 2012] ... I had four years of hard work and you can win by a 10th of a second. That’s pressure,” he said after finishing the 14th stage safely.

“Here it is different. It’s more sustained. Also, the fact that Froomey [Chris Froome] is second overall takes pressure off of me.”

Spain’s Omar Fraile powered to victory with a late burst in the last climb to claim Saturday’s 188km ride from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux.

Only Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who is fourth overall, 2min 38sec behind Thomas, gained some time on the main contenders when he attacked in the final climb.

Team Sky has two cards to play in Thomas and Froome, who trails by 1:39 minutes overall but has more experience with six grand-tour titles under his belt already.

How Sky plays its cards in the Pyrenees this week could decide the race. Thomas has been insisting Froome was the team leader, but the Welshman’s lead and two stage wins in the Alps suggest he might be the stronger rider.