Geraint Thomas: Tour de France winner confident of new Sky deal
- Published
Geraint Thomas was welcomed home by thousands of fans in Cardiff on Thursday as he celebrated his Tour win
Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas says he is confident of agreeing a new deal with Team Sky.
His contract is due to expire at the end of the year, with other teams expressing interest in signing the 32-year-old Welshman.
Speaking at his Tour homecoming parade, Thomas told the BBC: "I know they [Team Sky] had a big meeting today, I'm obviously really happy there.
"I'm confident we'll get something sorted in the next few days.
Thomas added: "We're incredibly close and I'm happy where I am. It seems to be working well at the moment.
"So I think in the very near future we'll have it all done."
The new Polish-sponsored CCC WorldTour team has already made Thomas an offer, with sports director Piotr Wadecki saying he wants to build his Tour de France team around Thomas.
"We have made an offer to him and we are waiting for a reply," he said.
Geraint Thomas led a peloton of youngsters through Cardiff City centre on Thursday
CCC Sprandi Polkowice will merge with BMC Racing in 2019 to create CCC WorldTour.
Speaking to the website Przeglad Sportowy, Wadecki said they have already signed one of the best classic race riders in the world in Greg van Avermaet, but want to compete in the general classification at Grand Tours.
Thomas' Team Sky contract expires at the end of 2018 but, although his position as team leader is not certain, Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said he was "pretty positive" it was the best place for him to stay.
Wadecki added: "He won the Tour de France, but will he be number one? There's [four-time Tour champion] Chris Froome who will want to win.
"With us, Geraint would already know in January that his goal is the Tour de France and we would definitely focus on him."
Team Sky's Geraint Thomas was racing in his ninth Tour de France when he won in July 2018
Thomas has acknowledged he has had offers but says he is comfortable in the Team Sky environment.
"I feel a real part and I grew up in the system, Dave Brailsford, Rod Ellingworth, Fran Millar, I've know them all since I've been 17," he said.
"Without Tim Kerrison I wouldn't be here now either. It works for me and I'm happy.
"It's not just about on the road and what the guys are like. You've got to weigh up everything, see the negatives and the positives and go from there.
"There's a lot of good teams out there and out of respect I wanted to hear what they had to say. It's been nice to have some nice offers.
"I've made my mind up in my head really, but just need to get it done officially. Hopefully it'll be done within the next day."
If Thomas signs with Team Sky, he says he will not have any problems about working alongside four times Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
"If I was riding with Froomey again I think the way we rode this year was the right way to go about it," said Thomas.
"We're both open and honest with each other, we're good mates and that hasn't changed and it could work again.
"Easily if roles were reversed next year, I'd be disappointed like Froomey because you want to win.
"At the same time if Froomey is the stronger, you do your bit."