Tour de France winner Thomas returns to competition in Spain

Geraint Thomas holds the Welsh flag on the podium after the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race on Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France on July 29, 2018. [Photo: AP]

2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas makes his return to competitive racing when he and his Sky team compete in the 5-day Volta de la Comunidad Valenciana (Tour of Valencia) which begins on Wednesday.

The field for the early season race also includes world champion Alejandro Valverde and 2017 Tour winner Nairo Quintana, both of whom ride for the Spanish Movistar team.

Speaking to the BBC, Thomas said he would use the race, which includes some tough mountain stages, to build up early season form after an eventful few months in the wake of his Tour de France victory in July.

"It's been busy. Normally in the off-season, you rest, go on holiday and start training again. But it's been much busier and there hasn't been a lot of rest, I've been here, there and everywhere. I've really enjoyed it, but it's nice to be back and do the day job," said Thomas.

"It's been good fun and different, but now I'm back to being a bike rider again and I hope to go back to the Tour and get the best result I can," he added.

The Welshman said he had been training for "five or six hours a day," but admitted he has not gone to Valencia to win.

"I think I am feeling good enough to race, but I am not up for a podium or a win. This is about getting going again," he said, admitting that his ultimate aim was to try to retain his Tour de France title this summer.

"This is all about getting in the best shape I can, and what will be, will be," he concluded.