Geraint Thomas insists he can still win the Tour de France despite trailing Vingegaard and Pogacar

Geraint Thomas believes he can still win this 12 months’s Tour de France despite trailing formidable duo Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar.

The Welshman heads into this week’s remaining six phases sitting third total – two minutes and 43 seconds behind chief Vingegaard and 21 seconds behind two-time defending champion Pogacar.

Many observers really feel this week will see a two-way tussle for the yellow jersey, with Ineos Grenadiers rider Thomas left to struggle for the remaining place on the podium.

Geraint Thomas still believes he can win the Tour de France in the remaining six phases this week

The Welshman is in third behind chief Jonas Vingegaard and second-place Tadej Pogacar

But talking throughout the Tour’s final relaxation day on Monday, the 2018 winner insisted: ‘I’m not likely wanting behind, I’m extra attempting to maneuver ahead.

‘It is definitely going to be troublesome, there are two extremely sturdy riders in entrance of me, not only one, however you have to maintain believing.

‘As a workforce, we’re going to attempt and make the most of something we can and maintain racing the greatest we can.

‘We are simply attempting to get to Paris as fast as we can and that is all we can do. Anything can occur. It’s a three-week race not 15 days.’

Thomas additionally highlighted how Danish rider Vingegaard’s quest for a primary Tour title can be harder following the withdrawal of two of his prime Jumbo-Visma team-mates, Primoz Roglic and Steven Kruijswijk.

And he believes his personal bid to win a second yellow jersey can be boosted by Saturday’s penultimate stage being a time trial, despite his disappointing efficiency in the Tour’s first TT when he forgot to take away his gilet.

Thomas feels Vingegaard may very well be ‘damage’ by the withdrawal of two of his Jumbo team-mates

‘Jumbo have misplaced two tremendous sturdy guys for the climb,’ stated Thomas. ‘That’s undoubtedly going to harm them. I still assume they’re able to ending it off, however who is aware of.

‘I’ve still received the TT up my sleeve, that is a little bit of a bonus. I simply have to take my f****** gilet off!’

Thomas can be the oldest winner of the Tour since 1922 however he feels his kind now could be pretty much as good because it was when he gained 4 years in the past.

‘I’ve been feeling good all the approach by way of,’ he added. ‘The numbers are good. They are a few of the greatest numbers I’ve performed.

‘It is difficult to check with 4 years in the past, however I’d say it is a related stage, roughly.’