The Seismic Changes in Cycling over the career of Geriant Thomas

Recently, Geraint Thomas announced that season will be his last. In a career of almost 20 years, he reached the cycling summit (literally!) winning:
- Olympic 🥇 Beijing 2008, Team Pursuit
- Olympic 🥇 London 2012, Team Pursuit
- winner 🏆 Tour de France, 2018

Other athletes to stay at the top for this long?
LeBron James
Roger Federer
Cristiano Ronaldo

Not bad company to keep!

Geraint has achieved his successes amidst greater change in his sport in comparison to basketball, tennis, or football.

The world of elite cycling underwent a seismic shift during Thomas’ career, particularly in the latter half. This makes his staying power all the more impressive. So, what changed?

1. Technology

The biggest and most obvious change, particularly aerodynamics..
The importance in aerodynamics, at speeds > 55 kph (standard for a road time-trial) and on the track (>80 kph) virtually all resistive forces come aerodynamically.

In simple terms - reduce aerodynamic resistance, and you go faster, for the same power.

The picture on this post contrasts Geraint’s 2025 TT versus 2007. What improvements do you notice?
- Much more compact position
- Better fitting skin suit, with more aerodynamic fabrics and patterns
- A more aerodynamic helmet
- Designated time-trial bike.

Put simply, engineering is now part of the game.

2. Money and professionalism

The €3m. The earning of the highest paid cyclist in 2007
Today - more than €6m

The average salary for world tour cyclists make it not only a viable career, but a very attractive one, potentially even with modest success at the highest level.

Every team now utilises experts. Nutritionists, physicians, physios, coaches, engineers are part of the infrastructure supporting professional cyclists.


3. Culture

Cycling is now part of British culture.

National interest is aided by equality on the track. Female and male cyclists complete the same distance events, and have equal opportunities to medal. This makes cycling more attractive to the media, bringing more coverage for all.

Cycling is cool - no longer just a mode of transport, as it was in I grew up.

4. Knowledge and metrics

20 years ago, having access to knowledge was a competitive advantage. Metrics? In 2007, cycling community measured speed, cadence and (maybe) heart rate and power.

2025? In the digital age, knowledge and data are accessible to all.

Expertise is the competitive advantage - knowing not just, when, where, and how to use the abundance of knowledge and data, but also how to avoid “gain an edge. paralysis through analysis”.

Finally - consider this. In his last season, Geraint will be racing against opponents with less years on this planet than Geraint has in elite cycling.

Geraint lasted the course and kept place his place the top despite all the changes in his sport - which makes it all the more impressive.