Geraint Thomas: Team Sky cyclist to listen to other teams’ offers

When Froome leads Sky at next year’s Giro, he will be aiming to become only the third man – after Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault – to hold all three Grand Tours at the same time.

Thomas says he would have “loved” to have had another go at the prestigious race in Italy but the silver lining to his absence is that he will be fresher for the Tour and, potentially, the Vuelta in August and September.

That could mean he is given a more prominent role with Sky, possibly even leading them in Spain.

“Yeah, I think so, and in the Tour as well, especially if Froomey does the whole Giro,” said Thomas.

“Last year was unfinished business but with Froomey going there he’s obviously going to be the main guy, so I don’t want to go there and just… I’ve ridden a lot of Grand Tours in support roles now, so I’m just looking to get those bigger opportunities myself.

“His whole preparation is totally different to normal and you just never know how he will be. He might be on his knees at the end and we [Team Sky] might need that second back-up guy to be there and be good. So that’s a nice goal to have.

“Obviously Froomey will still be the leader going into it but it might be more of a chance for me to have more of a go myself.

“The Vuelta after that could be a potential race for me to go into in the full team leader role.”