Cycling: Geraint Thomas reckons Cavendish is 'the greatest sprinter of all time'

"He's the greatest sprinter of all time," said Britain's Geraint Thomas on Monday of his compatriot Mark Cavendish, who announced a few hours earlier that he would retire at the end of the season.

"Really, you just have to see his record," insisted the winner of the 2018 Tour de France at a press conference during the second day of rest of the Tour of Italy.

“He told me at the start of the Giro. But I didn't really believe it, I thought he would continue, ”delivered the Welshman.

“He had an amazing career and it's not over. He still has this record to look for in the Tour de France,” continued Thomas. At 38, Cavendish co-holds with Eddy Merckx the record for stage victories in the Great Loop. The two men raised their arms there 34 times.

“I am proud to have been his teammate for a long time and to have helped him win the Worlds (on the road in 2011 with the Great Britain team), continued the Ineos training leader, referring to his “ friend of 25 years» with whom he traveled the world from the junior categories.

"To be honest, it's weird to see him announce his retirement because it means it will soon be my turn," smiled Geraint Thomas, who will turn 37 on Thursday.

Current second in the Giro, he is the best placed favorite in the general classification, two seconds ahead of the Slovenian Primoz Roglic (3rd).