{"id":87694,"date":"2025-02-27T15:41:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T15:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/?p=87694"},"modified":"2025-05-11T22:49:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T21:49:51","slug":"after-geraint-thomas-retires-who-will-lead-the-way-for-wales-cycling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/sport-health\/after-geraint-thomas-retires-who-will-lead-the-way-for-wales-cycling","title":{"rendered":"After Geraint Thomas retires, who will lead the way for Wales&#8217; cycling?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The only Welshman who won the Tour de France plans to retire in September. Will his departure affect the growth of cycling in Wales?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5012-2-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Geraint Thomas signed the framed yellow jersey (left) to commemorate his 2017 Tour de France stage win.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Alan Davis bends down to gently pat a young rider\u2019s helmet before straightening up, his gaze drifting toward the 460-meter velodrome. This track has shaped generations of cyclists chasing their professional racing dreams. Among them is Geraint Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thomas\u2019s journey began at the Maindy Centre Cycling Club, just a stone\u2019s throw from the velodrome, where he first got on a bike as a child. Alan Davis, a longtime coach and club chairman, still remembers those early days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter winning his first Olympic gold in 2008, Geraint returned to the club just a month later to speak with the kids,\u201d Davis says. \u201cAmong them were young riders like Eleanor Barker and Owain Doull, who later won gold medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics. His inspiration was immediate and tangible.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1415\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2-770x1090.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2-293x415.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1415\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2-770x1090.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/UK-CYCLIST-STAR-2-293x415.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, Thomas has confirmed the 2025 season will be his final one, after nearly two decades at the pinnacle of his sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the final race route hasn\u2019t been confirmed, there\u2019s a strong possibility that his last race will occur in Cardiff, where he was born. This would mean his cycling journey begins and ends in the same city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt would be epic if that happens. I haven&#8217;t really thought about it much, but when I do start thinking about it, it&#8217;s going to be emotional. Maybe I&#8217;ll shed a tear or two,\u201d Thomas says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thomas says he wants to step away while still enjoying the sport, rather than stay too long and become frustrated with his performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His career has been shaped by many setbacks as much as triumphs, including fractured bones and crashes in races,  but each experience has helped him grow and become the cyclist he is today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGeraint Thomas is an exceptionally resilient athlete. He has faced numerous setbacks but has always pushed through,\u201d Davis says. \u201cFor example, in the 2013 Tour de France, he broke his hip in the first or second stage but still completed the entire race. His level of resilience is rare, and no training program can truly teach that kind of perseverance.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-770x432.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-293x164.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1400x786.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5.jpg 1782w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-770x432.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-293x164.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5-1400x786.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-5.jpg 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alan Davis stands in his bike shop and talks about Geraint Thomas\u2019s lasting impact on local cycling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>George Kimber is a cyclist who has raced across Europe in events like the Tour of Ireland and the Tour of Rhodes in Greece. The idea of a peloton without Thomas is difficult for competitive cyclists to imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor so many of us, Geraint has been a constant presence in the sport,\u201d says Kimber. \u201cHopefully, his retirement won\u2019t mean fewer people on their bikes, but it\u2019s hard to ignore the impact Geraint has had on cycling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cycling boasts a rich history in Wales, evolving from a pastime and mode of transport in the late 19th and early 20th centuries into the highly demanding competitive sport today. Yet, the evolution of getting more commercialised has brought many challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a very white, middle-class sport. You\u2019ve got to have a certain income to afford it,\u201d Davis says. \u201cThe costs of bikes, equipment, and travel to competitions can be overwhelming for young riders from lower-income backgrounds.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bike shop shows that an entry-level racing bike costs between \u00a3600 and \u00a31,200. High-performance racing bikes can be significantly more expensive, reaching up to \u00a316,350.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than the cost of the bike itself, cycling also requires ongoing maintenance and extensive competition travel,  putting this sport out of reach for many families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_0626-6-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of cyclists trains on the velodrome at night despite the light rain, showcasing their passion for cycling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping the riders in the velodrome is also a big challenge for Davis. Although Cardiff Council\u2019s initial plan to relocate the historic Maindy track to Cardiff Bay has been scrapped, they still expect to expand one high school onto land at Maindy Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many campaigners have spent years fighting the proposal, but the future of the Maindy Velodrome still remains uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis place is unique, it\u2019s produced Olympic champions. If we lose it, we lose a part of Welsh cycling history,\u201d Davis says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kimber believes accessibility is another big concern for people who want to get involved in this sport. According to Broadcast networks, the Tour de France will be behind a paywall instead of free-to-air television from 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tour de France will only be available to pay-TV and streaming platforms for UK audiences at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Alan Davis calls to protect this track on Maindy Centre.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WFn2RWM5DMs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Alan Davis calls to protect this track on Maindy Centre.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WFn2RWM5DMs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Davis believes that Thomas\u2019s legacy in Welsh cycling is significant even as challenges mount. He watches these kids riding around the velodrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou never know, the next Tour de France winner could be out there right now,\u201d he says with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The only Welshman who won the Tour de France plans to retire in September. Will his departure affect the growth of cycling in Wales?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1224,"featured_media":87768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[1351,933,150],"coauthors":[1292],"class_list":["post-87694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport-health","tag-cardiff","tag-cardiff-council","tag-cycling"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>After Geraint Thomas retires, who will lead the way for Wales&#039; cycling? - InterCardiff<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"After Geraint Thomas retires, who will lead the way for Wales&#039; cycling? - InterCardiff\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The only Welshman who won the Tour de France plans to retire in September. Will his departure affect the growth of cycling in Wales?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/sport-health\/after-geraint-thomas-retires-who-will-lead-the-way-for-wales-cycling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"InterCardiff\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100080368502838\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-27T15:41:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-11T21:49:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/02\/IMG_5016-3.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1782\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Chenyu Zou\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Chenyu Zou\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/sport-health\/after-geraint-thomas-retires-who-will-lead-the-way-for-wales-cycling\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/sport-health\/after-geraint-thomas-retires-who-will-lead-the-way-for-wales-cycling\",\"name\":\"After Geraint Thomas retires, who will lead the way for Wales' cycling? 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