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The 2023 Giro d’Italia runner-up Geraint Thomas has been announced as Team INEOS Grenadiers leader for the 2023 La Vuelta. The 37-year-old Welshman will ride the Vuelta only for the second time in his career, with his only previous appearance back in 2015 finishing in a disappointing 69th GC ranking.
Near the end of his illustrious career and clearly showing very good form in 2023 with his 2nd place at the Giro the 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas La Vuelta experience promises to be memorable as he is targeting the overall win.
To support him in his bid team INEOS have surrounded Thomas with a very strong group of riders too. Here is the only British team’s lineup for the coming 2023 La Vuelta.
Who else is in Team Ineos for the 2023 La Vuelta?
Geraint Thomas La Vuelta’s teammates are as follows: Egan Bernal (ex-Tour de France winner himself), Filippo Ganna, Laurens De Plus, Omar Fraile, Thymen Arensman, Jonathan Castroviejo and Kim Heiduk (the only Gradn Tour debutant).
The team is very strong and it gives hope that Gerant Thomas La Vuelta’s experience in 2023 will be much happier than his 2015 one.
Geraint Thomas’ 2023 La Vuleta chances: Our Prediction
Geraint Thomas La Vuelta’s chances are rated very high and he is seen as one of the main three contenders for the top spot. The Welshman has the experience and the legs to climb the steep hills of Spain as his form during the Giro d’Italia in May showed. He also rested in the summer after not taking part in the Tour De France.
However, we don’t think Geraint Thomas INEOS Grenadiers team is strong enough to protect him against his main rivals. Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) also rested during the Tour after beating Geraint to the top spot in the Giro. He is now back and his main support will be the back-to-back Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard. The La Vuelta defending champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) is also fresh and raring to defend his red jersey. To add to that the Spanish will be feverishly pushing Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) up the hills.
So, with so many top-class rivals we find it hard to see Geraint Thomas La Vuelta winner headline. That said, we still think he has a realistic shot at challenging for the podium.
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