‘I’m just going to try and soak it up’ – Geraint Thomas kicks off final European stage racing campaign at Volta ao Algarve

The winner of the Volta ao Algarve in 2015 and 2016, with six participations to his name, Geraint Thomas has become a familiar figure in Portugal’s best-known early-season stage race over the last decade.

However, after his announcement earlier this week of his retirement at the end of 2025, there could be little doubt that this year’s race start at Portimão on Wednesday was probably the most special of his career.