Geraint Thomas and Julian Alaphilippe on the slopes of the Tourmalet (Photo: Yuzuru SUNADA)The first high-mountain test of the Tour de France claimed plenty of casualties, most notably Geraint Thomas who lost more time to Julian Alaphilippe.
Geraint Thomas missed out on stage honours in the Tour de France time trial (Photo: Yuzuru SUNADA)Team Ineos are not racing against Julian Alaphilippe as the Tour de France enters a crucial high-mountain phase, according to sports director Nicolas Portal.
Geraint Thomas during the stage 13 time trial at the Tour de France 2019 (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)The Welshman said he was overheating during the TT and didn't have the final five per cent needed to win the stage
Those trailing Geraint Thomas need to attack, says Team Ineos sports director Nicolas Portal (Photo: Pool / L'EQUIPE / SUNADA) If they are going to have a chance at the Tour de France, then the riders further down in the classification need to attack in the Pyrénées opener to Bagnères-de-Bigorre on stage 12, according to Team Ineos Nico Portal.
Geraint Thomas with Luke Rowe on stage 10 of the 2019 Tour de France (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Thomas gained hugely on stage 10 as some of the other GC contenders struggled in the crosswinds
