Geraint Thomas says his 36-hour cycling challenge to raise money for the NHS could end up proving tougher than the Tour de France.
The Welshman is using a stationary bike to take on three 12-hour rides in as many days, each one mirroring the length of a nurse’s shift.
Thomas won the Tour in 2018 and will be hoping to win back the yellow jersey that he lost to Colombia’s Egan Bernal last year when the rescheduled race gets underway in August.
And as he pedals away in his garage in Wales, the Team Ineos star says he wishes he was taking on some of France’s most notoriously difficult climbs.
“Going up Alpe d’Huez and (Mont) Ventoux would be easier for sure... it’s just so mundane here,” Thomas told Reuters TV.
“Obviously, I’ve got some things going on, a few interviews, I’m on Zwift and I can ride with people, but 12 hours just stuck in a garage is totally different to riding on the road.
“At least going up Alpe d’Huez you’ve got all the hairpins and writing on the road... this is a challenge in itself.”
Thomas completed the first of his rides on Wednesday and has already raised more than £160,000, smashing his target of £100,000.
“This morning when I woke up, I was a bit like ‘phwoah, what am I doing?’ But to see all the money coming in makes it all worthwhile,” Thomas added.
“I saw all the stuff in the news and I have a few friends and family that are involved and, yes, just the sacrifice that everyone is making I think it’s amazing and I really wanted to make a small difference myself.”
