Geraint Thomas: Wearing Wales jersey is "special"

Geraint Thomas has said that wearing the Wales jersey at the Commonwealth Games later this week will be that "extra bit special".

The Team Sky rider, who finished 22nd in the general classification at the Tour de France yesterday, has not competed at the Commonwealth Games since 2006.

The 28-year-old told Wales Online: "It will be great to wear the Welsh jersey again because the last time was in Melbourne in 2006. I feel like I represent Wales wherever I race but to actually wear the jersey is that extra bit special.

"Usually after a Grand Tour I'll have a couple of weeks off the bike, switch off mentally and start to recover physically. Obviously I can't do that this time.

"Mentally I should be fine because it's a change of scenery and I'll be with the Welsh boys. Physically, it's going to be hard to recover for the 40km time trial on Thursday and the road race on Sunday."

Thomas was among a number of cyclists to miss the games in Delhi four years ago citing concerns over health and safety.