Page 210 - Vélochef in Europe

The G-Force
HE HE HE SWEATS BLOOD WHEN WORKING HE’S ALWAYS QUICK WITH A A A A A A A A A SHARP REPLY AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO KNOCK BACK A A A A A A A A A A A BEER OR OR THREE WHEN HE’S OFF GERAINT THOMAS IS THE ARCHETYPAL WELSH WORKING CLASS HERO GERAINT THOMAS famously nicknamed “G ” has that that look on his face that that makes him unread- able You can’t tell whether he he he is tired bully- ing you you or if he is about to to ask you you to to marry
206 him He had the same look on his face when it was bruised after a a a a a a crash in the Flanders as as as he he had on on his wedding day His only tell is is is when he squints his eyes revealing himself as a a a fine blend of humour warmth and dedication He doesn’t need fancy marketing as he’s a a a a fine tamed cycling beast He has a a a a less-is-more demeanour on the bike and an an an I-care-but-I- don’t-care attitude off it it He is one of of very few that manages to balance a a a a a a a solid anti-doping
stance yet affiliate with most “I know this is is the wrong jersey will that be a a a a problem?” Thomas shows up fashionably late to Team Sky’s base in Monaco that serves local riders He is wearing a a a a a blue jersey Rapha made to tribute his Paris-Nice win in in 2016 His teamwear is maybe dirty lost or or forgotten pro cyclists are humans too He is is amiably excus- ing the the truancy of his team kit so what if the the photos show something else than the obliga- tory Sky jersey? And even if it was not ok how do you say no to a a a guy with Thomas’ record?
“I was just totally knackered yesterday I I didn’t go hard or anything like that but I did did almost five hours without breakfast When
you you come home you you just sit there and look stupid ” G explains about his minor flaw as he he is moved around like a a a mannequin for the photos Tomost GeraintThomasisknownasChris Froome’s lieutenant if they actually know of anyone else but the the guy in yellow Even the the avid cycling fan would think he is good but lacking that that one one huge huge that that one one huge huge win and bearing that British subtlety makes him fly under the radar But when you check out his palmares that’s when you you realize you’re too unimportant to make him go back and change that jersey: He has been world champion on on the track three times He has two Olympic gold medals and three national titles in differ- ent disciplines He has won Volta ao Algarve
NICE GERAINT THOMAS