Veteran rider and Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas may not have taken center stage at this year’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but the ever-candid Welshman had plenty to say following one of the most fiercely contested editions of the Monument in recent memory.
Thomas, now a senior figure within the INEOS Grenadiers setup, was on hand to witness Tadej Pogačar’s emphatic victory at La Doyenne — a performance that once again left both fans and fellow professionals in awe.
“There was no chance that he would be beaten,” Thomas told reporters after the race. “The speed he rode… unreal. On a day like that, nobody could live with him.”
The World Champion, who replicated his 2024 victory with another crushing performance, launched his decisive attack on the final climbs and rode solo to the finish, making the race look almost effortless. For Thomas, who has spent over a decade racing at the highest level, Pogačar’s performance was nothing short of astonishing.
“I heard him say afterwards that the people who said he had gotten worse after Amstel Gold don’t know anything about cycling. Honestly, I think they do know something — but not about him,” Thomas said with a smile.
Indeed, Pogačar’s perceived “dip in form” following a less dominant display at Amstel Gold Race had sparked debate in the cycling world, with some questioning whether he was fading after a packed spring campaign. Thomas dismissed those concerns entirely, pointing instead to the Slovenian’s unique ability to rise to the occasion — and exceed expectations.
Insights from the INEOS Camp
Thomas also reflected on the INEOS Grenadiers’ tactics during the race, suggesting that while the team rode cohesively, they were ultimately outclassed by a rider operating on a different level.
“We had a plan, we tried to stay together, mark the right moves — and honestly, we executed it fairly well. But when Pog just goes, you’re almost racing for second. That’s the reality.”
With younger talents emerging within INEOS and other teams, Thomas has increasingly taken on a leadership and mentorship role, helping to guide the likes of Carlos Rodríguez and Tom Pidcock. But when it comes to breaking Pogačar’s stranglehold on the big races, Thomas admits that the entire peloton still hasn’t found the answer.
The Enigma of Jonas Vingegaard
Asked about Jonas Vingegaard, Thomas didn’t hold back in describing the defending Tour de France champion’s absence and low profile in the spring as a “mystery.”
“Yeah, Jonas — that’s a bit of a mystery, isn’t it? No one really knows where he’s at. He’s been quiet, maybe keeping his powder dry for the Tour. You never count him out, though. He’s too smart for that.”
Though Vingegaard has been largely absent from the spring classics circuit following a training crash earlier in the year, his shadow looms large over the upcoming Tour de France, where a rematch between him and Pogačar is eagerly anticipated.
The Final Word
With another Liège in the books, and yet another stunning performance from Tadej Pogačar added to his growing legend, the questions aren’t about who’s next — but who, if anyone, can stop him.
“You watch him ride,” Thomas concluded, “and you realize we’re living through something special. He’s not just strong — he knows exactly when to strike. That’s what makes him different.”
