Brailsford full of praise for Thomas

DAVE Brailsford, director of sport for Ineos, has lauded the Tour de France performances of veteran Geraint Thomas and debutant Tom Pidcock, in which the Welshman finished third and the 22-year-old took a spectacular stage win at Alpe d’Huez, while also admitting that the 36-year-old proved team management wrong. Brailsford said Thomas’ third-place finish was “to be admired greatly”, adding: “He has brought his years and years of experience to this and that’s what got him his third place in this year’s Tour. He’s been brilliant, we have seen the best version of himself. Everybody feels it’s a very satisfying performance for him and the team.”

But Brailsford also accepted that Thomas’ enduring ambition might have been underestimated by team management. Asked if Thomas had proven a point to those within Ineos who had doubted him, Brailsford said: “Well, if I was in his shoes I’d have a wry smile on my face, let’s face it. We sat down and agreed that he’d be a role model to the young lads, a perfect teammate, and I think that slightly relaxed approach worked.

Basically, he hasn’t put a foot wrong all season. He’s a natural mentor. In the end, top young riders watch the older top riders and for Tom [Pidcock] and the others to watch Geraint and see how he handles himself, well, they will take a huge amount from that.”

Pidcock’s first Tour saw him finish 17th overall, but also take a spectacular stage win on the coveted climb of Alpe d’Huez, a success that allied his fearless descending skills with an inspired climbing display. “His win on Alpe d’Huez sums him up,” Brailsford said of Pidcock. “He was respected for the win but also loved for the manner of the win.

Asked if Pidcock could be developed into a Tour contender in the coming years, Brailsford was more guarded.

“I think if you clip his wings you’re taking away from the personality and the bike rider that he is,” he said. “The mistake would be to drop him into a very sterile approach. He needs the opportunity to be himself.

“I think he can set his sights on the Tour in the future, but to get there, he has to be true to his authentic self and his authentic self is a brilliant bike rider across all terrains.” Brailsford, who is travelling in Portugal on behalf of OGC Nice as they complete their preseason build-up, was not present on the Tour for the first time in a decade, but remains in situ as Ineos Grenadiers team principal and was in daily contact with team manager, Rod Ellingworth.

“I’ve got a fantastic working relationship with Rod, the team and the riders,” he said.