At the top level of 2018 road racing we saw strength, skill, bravery and risk from fizik riders… we witnessed teamwork and togetherness but also spirited individual brilliance. There were decisions made on pre-determined calculations, and others that can only be the sheer gut instinct of a racer who knows when to go – it’s the raw passion for winning that lights the flame within all racing fans. We all share that passion, but only the very best can translate it into performances that put all the others in the shade… performances like these: Thomas wins the Tour on the Alpe d’Huez The loyal lieutenant, the super-domestique, and one of the most popular riders in today’s peloton, few foresaw Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas as the 2018 Tour de France winner – but that’s exactly what he became. The Welshman started in Noirmoutier-en-l’Île as the number one support act to four-time TdF winner Froome, but soon found himself with the strongest position of the GC contenders, triggering a series of question… Could Thomas step out of the shadows and hang on to the lead? Will the other contenders overhaul him Would team orders dictate Thomas handing the win to Froome? The Welshman did most to answer the questions with a sublime attack over the Alpe d’Huez – the first British rider to do so – which made hairs stand up on necks. Backed up with another mountain-top stage win in San Bernando, Thomas enjoyed 11 days in in the maillot jaune on his way to Paris. Valverde wins the Worlds on Höttinger Höll Perhaps we left the most emotionally charged win til last, with the smiles of El Bala in Innsbruck, Austria. Six times previously on the World Champs podium, but never before on the top step, the 38-year-old Spaniard pulled off one of the finest performances of his career to tame the ‘Hell’ hill no fewer than seven times, and see off a final selection of three other top class riders to sprint it home in Innsbruck. Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas wins the Tour De France 2018 after three weeks of emotions, struggles and great cycling fights! Two stage victories at Alpe d’Huez and San Bernando and 11 days in yellow towards the great celebration at Champs-Élysées. We are proud to be part of this success with our Arione R1 saddle and Infinito R1 Knit shoes. It’s an honor to ride with you G! Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas (fi’zi:k R1 Infinito Knit) hits the final week of the 105th Tour de France in yellow with a 1:39min advantage over six-time Grand Tour winning team-mate, Chris Froome. fi’zi:k riders occupy seven of the top eight positions on GC, with stage winners and race leaders peppering the list. While Tom Dumoulin is a threat, the Dutch danger continues with LottoNL-Jumbo team pair of Primoz Roglic (4th) and Steven Kruijswijk (7th). AG2R La Mondiale’s French fighter Romain Bardet lies 5th and the Movistar Team joint-leaders Mikel Landa (Spain) and Nairo Quintana (Colombia) sit ominously in 6th and 8th. After BMC Racing Team and fi’zi:k’s Greg Van Avermaet’s early turn in yellow triggered by the slick TTT victory, and Lotto NL-Jumbo rider Dylan Groenewegen’s back-to-back sprint wins, Welshman Thomas followed the young Dutchman’s lead and bagged a brace of stages, including the first British victory on the Alpe d’Huez . With the Alps conquered, the Pyrenees follow Monday’s rest day. The Tour’s shortest stage for 30 years (Wednesday 25th), just 65km and featuring the 2,125m Col du Portet, is the hors d’oeuvre for Friday’s quartet of Cols: Aspin, Tourmalet, Souler and d’Aubisque. If the seven-man Team Sky squad can defend until then, how important will Saturday’s 31km Individual Time Trial be in deciding the GC ahead of Sunday’s procession into Paris? Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas is back in the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey after winning Stage 11 with a blistering finish on the 108.5km Albertville to La Rosière mountain stage. The Welshman proudly wore the maillot jaune for four days last July, defending it after his early ITT blast. But this year the 32-year-old has earned the jersey in the Alps, and wears it with his fi’zi:k Infinito R1 Knit shoes, with the new colorways making their Grand Tour debut.
