Geraint Thomas

TEAM Sky rider Geraint Thomas has signalled his intentions to focus all his efforts on the Olympic Games by pulling out of next year’s Tour de France.

The 25-year-old Welsh rider, who wore the white jersey for the best young rider over the opening seven stages of this year`s Tour, has sacrificed the chance to ride alongside new team-mate Mark Cavendish, the current green jersey holder, as a result.

But with the Olympics on the horizon, Thomas, the 2008 team pursuit gold medalist, wants to put them first and will instead compete in the Giro D`Italia.

“The Olympics is the main goal for me so I don’t want to jeopardise that in any way,” he said.

“Riding the tour is a bit more of a gamble. I could be going really well but could also end up on my knees and pretty tired.

“I’m going to be doing similar preparations to before Bejing (2008) when I rode the Giro and didn’t ride the Tour.”