There was no fairytale on Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard for Geraint Thomas after he forgot to take off his gilet for a time trial.
As that well-known French town, Copenhagen, unfurled a riot of colour and robust nectar for the Tour de France, Thomas effectively rode the 8.2-mile prologue in a life jacket. And despite a storming second half, the 2018 champion's opening gambit against the clock was a bigger let-down than Andersen's fabled Little Mermaid herself.
He finished 25 seconds off the lead and, more damagingly, 18sec down on reigning champion Tadej Pogacar. Cursing the valuable time he has already shipped in the general classification, honest Thomas admitted: “I forgot I had it (the gilet) on. I zipped it up, all nice and snug, before the start and nobody spotted it. I was cornering like my wife – and she hasn't ridden a bike for 12 years.”
