TEAM Sky boss David Brailsford has mocked critics of the team after the British squad grabbed the Tour de France by the throat.
PORTE STRUGGLES: Aussie hope already well behind
Geraint Thomas seized his first yellow jersey with a fearless time trial in wet and slippery conditions that petrified his rivals and hurt others, while Sky had four riders in the top eight on the opening day.
The emphatic showing came after some rivals had declared Sky a fading force, while off the road the team remains the subject of a UK Anti-Doping inquiry.
Geraint Thomas celebrates his opening stage win.Source:Getty Images
But Brailsford, who exchanged hugs with jubilant staff after the stage one triumph, hit back.
“We look vulnerable don’t you think? That’s what everybody’s been saying,” Brailsford said.
“We’re on it, despite what everybody else says. We’re here to race now.”
Thomas’ success was a change in fortune for the Welsh rider after his Giro d’Italia was ruined when he was involved in the highly-publicised motorbike crash.
“At the end of the day we’re involved in a sport with wheels and the thing about a wheel is it always turns,” Brailsford said.
“One minute you’re in the depth of despair and before you know it it’s turned around and here we are on cloud nine again. That’s part of our sport.
“It’s nice to get a steady start. It was nervous and it was a bit edgy watching the lads in the wet.
“It was a real shame to see (Alejandro) Valverde go down. That’s quite sad for him so I hope he’s all right.”
Thomas said he “hadn’t even thought” about claiming the yellow jersey.
Geraint Thomas called his stage success ‘unbelievable’.Source:AFP
“It’s unreal. The start of my eighth Tour, my 12th Grand Tour and my first stage win. It’s been a long time coming and it’s just an amazing feeling,” Thomas said.
“It’s been a rough time on the bike this year. It certainly makes up for most of the Giro, and back home as well. With my mum and my wife I’ve had a bit of a rough time recently so it’s nice to get this win. It’s unbelievable. I’m lost for words.
“It’s amazing to get this win and thanks to everyone who has supported me. It’s a great day.”
Brailsford said the team had considered not chasing yellow given the demands of defending it so early in the race, but said the decision had been made to seize the initiative.
“You’ve got to take these opportunities in life when they come along,” he said.
“You can’t not be happy for Geraint, he deserves this so much. It’s a dream come true for him and us.”
Originally published as Sky nix naysayers as Thomas wins stage one
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