Sawt Falasteen - Ex-Tour de France winner Thomas to retire at end of season

"Thought it was time we made it official. Yes, this will be my last year in the peloton," the Ineos rider posted on X.

"It's not been a bad run eh?" added the decorated all-rounder who won Olympic team pursuit golds in 2008 and 2012 and three world titles, also in team pursuit.

But it was his 2018 triumph in cycling's greatest race, the Tour de France, that he particularly cherishes.

"Beijing was massive, my first Olympics and winning gold there," Thomas told the BBC.

"But the Tour's what changed my life, being recognised all over the place.

"I was in Alcatraz and some dude recognised me. I think that's when you know it went up a level.

"The yellow jersey is iconic. You go anywhere in the world and people will know the yellow jersey, how it signifies cycling and its history. So to be a part of that history and to win it, I just pinch myself," he added.

Thomas, who came third in last year's Giro d'Italia, will tackle the Tour again this year in a supporting role for his British team, hoping to "maybe try to win a stage but just enjoy the race".

Asked why he has chosen to retire now when he is still firing on all cylinders, he replied: "This is my 19th year as a professional and I didn't want to do one year too many and be the grumpy guy in the team."

J.AbuHassan--SF-PST