While many of former track riders currently trying to prove themselves on the road are seriously considering returning to a velodrome as their best chance to excel in the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio, Geraint Thomas presents entirely different approach. Despite winning gold two years ago in London along with Bradley Wiggins, the 28-year old Welshman refuses to follow paths of his older compatriot and team-mate, aiming to strengthen the British squad in the road race instead.

Speaking to Cyclingnews, Thomas revealed that he never forgets that he originates from the track and misses high speed racing on boards sometimes, but currently all his ambitions are connedted with road cycling. The 28-year old Team Sky rider also claimed that he considers recently unveiled route of the Rio 2016 road race event relatively favourable for the British national team, which he expects to be stronger than ever. Or, at least, stronger than it turned out to be two years ago, when they failed to control the race eventually decided from a strong breakaway group.

“As a country, we’re the strongest we’ve ever been,” he told Cyclingnews. “I’m really looking forward to racing the Olympics. They’re a massive global event and I’m really looking forward to it.”

“It should be good,” Thomas said. “I think Britain, with myself Pete [Kennaugh] – depending on if he rides the track or the road – [Ben Swift] Swifty, [Ian] Stannard, and [Luke] Rowe we’ve got a good core of riders for that sort of course.”

“At the moment I’m just focussing on the road and hopefully I’ll be lucky enough to get a place in the road race and the time trial. The track is definitely on the back burner for a while,” said Thomas. “I do miss it when I see the boys racing but the way it is these days you’ve got to commit at least half a season, if not a full season and spend a lot of time on the boards at Manchester. The road is where I want to go at the moment.”

Thomas does not rule out returning to the track at some point, but when his short-term goals are being discussed, it all comes down to racing on the road. The 28-year old Welshman revealed that he aims to make a further step forward in cobbled classics after he has proved himself in brutal Flemish events last season. His spring campaign should be followed by preparations to make it to the Team Sky roster for the Tour de France, where his growing experience as classics specialist should be highly appreciated during a hectic first week of competition.

“It would obviously be nice to get on the podium again and to win one of them as well. I think as a team we can take a lot of confidence over the last few years,” he explained.

 “With Brad looking to come back to the cobbles again, I think that will add to the strength of the team. If everyone is fit and injury free then I think that we can have a strong team and definitely influence the race. I think that we have learned a lot since we started in 2010.”

“Once I’m done with the Classics I’ll be focussing on the Tour and trying to drop that extra few kilos and work more on the climbs. Hopefully I’ll be able to get my place in the team because it’s certainly a strong team.”