Sports director Servais Knaven has explained that Geraint Thomas has to focus only on the Tour de France and sacrifice the Classics. In 2016, the Team Sky rider will aim only at stage races. In 2015, Thomas won E3 Harelbeke and finished 3rd at Gent-Wevelgem. During the French three-week race, he was fourth overall before the last week. After a crash, he slipped to 15th overall.

"These days, it’s so much focused on the Grand Tours. If you want to win the Tour, you can’t spread yourself thin over the Classics. It’s harder and harder to do so with it becoming so specialised," the former Paris-Roubaix winner told Cycling Weekly. "In a few years, it’d be even harder for him. He has to change his focus to stage races, ride more in the mountains if he wants to do it. This is the last step that he needs, it’s more than normal that he can go for it."

This year, Thomas was very present at the start of spring classics. But there will be some changes in 2016. "He will do fewer classics than before. If you have the potential to finish top five, top three or win, it’s a logical choice," said Knaven. "I can totally understand. It’s a pity for us, for the Classics group, but he has to make those decisions. It’s important for him to try, he can wear the yellow jersey. He has the potential, for sure. He can do everything. We used him all year, in races to help others, but now it’s time for him to stand up for himself and see how he can go in the Grand Tours."