Thomas says ‘ legs are good’ as he finishes fourth in world championships time trial ahead of Giro bid

Ger a i nt Thomas p ut i n a strong showing ahead of the Giro d’italia as he narrowly missed out on the medals in the men’s time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Imola.

As wind ripped across the motor racing circuit made f amous by the San Marino Grand Prix, Thomas’ Ineos Grenadiers team- mate Filippo Ganna blew away the field to claim gold on home soil with a time of 35 minutes 54 seconds across the 31.7km route. Wout van Aert was 26 seconds slower to take silver for Belgium while Stefan Kung claimed bronze for Switzerland.

Thomas, pi c t ur e d i ns e t , was just eight seconds off the podium but while he could be disappointed with that, it was still a strong ride just eight days before the Giro begins in Palermo with the first of three time trials across the 21 stages.

“For sure the legs are good,” Thomas said. “I certainly started a little hard but then I was like, I’ve bought my ticket now,

I’ve got to try and keep going. I came here because I wanted to get the best result possible which is trying to win or be on the podium. I just missed that but the legs are looking pretty good.” Thomas did not help himself by not having his computer on his bike, meaning he had to mentally pace himself with only the race radio for help. “I didn’t have a clue about distance or time, I was riding blind so I’m pretty happy with how it was paced,” he said. “The judgment seems to be good.”

Alex Dowsett also managed a top ten finish for Great Britain, coming in ninth.

Lizzie Deignan leads Great Britain into the women’s road race today. The 31- year- old will look to recapture the title she won back in 2015 but said she can do so without any expectations.

“I feel completely at ease and just excited to race,” Deignan said. “Normally I’m petrified and really nervous. I just feel like it’s an opportunity and I have nothing to lose.”

Britain’s other ri ders are Lizzy Banks, Alice and Hannah Barnes, Anna Henderson, and Anna Shackley.