'Part of me thinks he's not been at 100%' – Geraint Thomas on Jonas Vingegaard's form after stage 10 Giro d'Italia time trial

Geraint Thomas, director of racing at Netcompany-Ineos and former Tour de France winner, expressed doubts over Jonas Vingegaard’s condition following the Danish rider’s underwhelming performance in the Giro d’Italia’s stage 10 time trial. Vingegaard, a pre-race favourite, finished 13th, nearly three minutes behind stage winner Filippo Ganna, losing time not only to Ganna but also to GC rivals Thymen Arensman and Derek Gee-West. Thomas suggested that Vingegaard might not be at full fitness, speculating that illness or other factors could be affecting his form despite his earlier mountain stage victories. Thomas highlighted that while Vingegaard had delivered strong performances in the mountains, the gap between him and his closest rivals appeared narrower than expected, especially when compared to the standards set by rivals like Tadej Pogačar. He pointed out that if Vingegaard were at his peak, he would likely have extended his lead over Felix Gall by a greater margin. Nevertheless, Thomas acknowledged that Vingegaard remains in a strong overall position, maintaining the race lead and staying ahead of other GC contenders. The time trial was a standout day for the Netcompany-Ineos team, with Filippo Ganna taking the stage win and Thymen Arensman finishing second, boosting their general classification prospects. Thomas praised the performances of other GC hopefuls, including Derek Gee-West, who placed fifth, and the maglia rosa Alfonso Eulálio of Bahrain Victorious, who continues to hold the leader’s jersey. Thomas suggested that Vingegaard might be less concerned about losing the jersey on this stage and more focused on regaining his top form. In a more personal reflection, Thomas recounted his own challenging experience riding a reconnaissance of the time trial course alongside his team’s leading riders, contrasting his road bike with their specialised aero equipment. He described the effort as unexpectedly tough, underscoring the physical demands faced by the riders. Thomas’s insights provide a nuanced perspective on the Giro’s evolving dynamics and hint at potential shifts in the battle for overall victory as the race progresses.