For a team focussed so intently on marginal gains, Ineos Grenadiers made an unusual gaffe in the sport's biggest race when Geraint Thomas started the opening Tour de France time trial still wearing his gilet.
The 2018 Tour de France winner gave up 18 seconds to defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) but was kicking himself less for his aerodynamic disadvantage than he was for his timid cornering in the first half of the 13-kilometre test in Copenhagen. There were steady showers throughout the stage, letting up for the latest starters, and Thomas did his ride in terrible conditions.
"That was the worst first half of a time trial I've ever done," Thomas said with honesty afterwards. "I wanted to start fairly conservatively power-wise but - everyone tells you to go easy on the corners, it's three weeks - apparently there were a lot of crashes.
"Then it was in my head. The first few corners I was cornering like my wife - she hasn't ridden a bike in 12 years - it was unbelievable. Then I realised I had my gilet on - I zipped it up, it was nice and snug and I didn't realise."
Thomas didn't blame the soigneur who was helping him at the start for not noticing and it didn't appear the gilet cost him too much, as he held the gap steady in the straighter second half of the race.
"Once I went through the first time check and I was 18 seconds down, I took the pin out and sod it, just go. Then it actually went alright. The legs were good, which is the main thing, but the cornering was terrible. I just overthought it. In the wet the best thing you can do is flow and carry the speed nice and smooth. I was not flowing.
"I could have done a better ride so it's annoying. You have to try and take it positive, which was the legs were good and I was warm - maybe everyone else will get cold."
Geraint Thomas is amongst the favourites for this year's Tour de France general classification. Watch our video analysis of the Cyclingnews' major favourites
The GC battle begins
Thomas has come into form in recent weeks, and enters the Tour de France this year as a contender for the yellow jersey, albeit overshadowed by an extremely dominant stage 1 performance from the major favourite Pogacar.
"He's a phenomenon," Thomas said of Pogacar’s stage 1 result, which saw him outride Filippo Ganna, and finish only 2 seconds off Wout van Aert. "He is one of the guys that can do it all, so I'm not surprised to be honest. I knew he'd be right up there."
Thomas now sits in the middle of the Ineos GC contenders, with Adam Yates beating him by two seconds, to finish 23 seconds off Lampaert. Daniel Martinez, however, now sits 19 seconds down on the Welshman, having finished in 33rd place in today’s race.
Ineos Grenadiers have entered the Tour with three leaders, with the race open to any of the three riders who may be able to contend for the yellow jersey.
While today’s result may be an impressive statement of intent from Pogacar, the gaps are unlikely to be tactically significant in the coming weeks.
"By Paris, hopefully it won’t be seconds in it," said Thomas. "Normally it’s pretty big gaps, so today won’t make a huge difference."
Speaking about tomorrow’s stage, Thomas expressed caution about what was likely to be a turbulent day of racing. "I haven’t seen the forecast but it’s definitely going to be stressful no matter what happens," he said. "Who knows, a lot can happen, especially if it’s wet again, and there’s wind. It’ll be exciting to watch."
