Geraint Thomas: It's been tough mentally since the crash - but I'm ready for the TdF

The Welsh pro cyclist Geraint Thomas has spoken about his mental and physical recovery since his Giro d’Italia crash six weeks ago, saying he was disappointed not to be able to finish.

He was involved in a crash with a police bike and dislocated his shoulder.

He told the BBC: "Where I dislocated my shoulder, a bit of the bone had come away with the cartilage, but luckily I didn't need an operation so I was just trying to get back into the best shape possible.

"I was feeling the best I ever felt in training before the race and doing the best numbers I had ever done before.

"It was tough to take mentally initially, but when you have another goal like the Tour de France it certainly helps to get over that disappointment."

"I am as excited now as when I was picked for my first [Tour de France],” he said.

"It's always exciting when you get the official nod, especially in a team like Sky, who are looking to win the race overall.

"When you look at the super strong squad that we have got, it's always nice to get picked.

"So I am looking forward to another lap of France. It's the biggest bike race in the world and the one I grew up watching.

"It's so iconic and the first thing you think about cycling. To be a part of it again is massive. But it's going to be tough."

Thomas added that he was backing colleague Chris Froome for the title.

"He has the experience and knows how to win the race and deal with all the outside pressures.

"We all have confidence in him.”

Back in May we reported how Thomas said the crash towards the end of Stage 9 that saw him plummet from second to 17th in the overall standings at the 100th Giro d’Italia was “ridiculous” and "shouldn’t happen.”

Following the stage, Thomas – showing remarkable composure, given the circumstances – said: “That’s ridiculous, that shouldn’t happen.

“We were all racing for the bottom of the climb then next thing I know, someone in front of me hits the motorbike and you go down.

“My shoulder, it popped out as well,” added the Welsh rider.

“I felt good but then I crashed and that was it, race over. It’s really disappointing.”