Last week, Geraint Thomas was optimistic that he would find his best form for the Tour de France. So Team Ineos' sudden change of leadership in the Grand Tour and the omission of La Grande Boucle seemed to surprise the Welsh rider.

Thomas has competed in the Tour every year with Team Sky/Ineos except for 2012, when he concentrated on Team Pursuit for the London Olympics, and has raced the Tour 10 times. He struggled in the mountains at the Criterium du Dauphiné, but he was confident he could drop one more kilogram of weight for the Tour.

Team Ineos opted for a different plan, replacing Thomas and Richard Calapas 10 days before the Grande Palais in Nice. Chris Froome was also left out of the Tour's selection.

In a video released by Team Ineos, Thomas did not hide his disappointment, saying, "It was good to finally have a solid plan and know exactly what I am doing and what I am trying to get some positive out of this year."

Thomas and Team Ineos have not explained why the Welsh rider is struggling in the race: "It's been a funny year race-wise and training-wise, but I decided to make the Giro my goal ......" Thomas simply said in an Instagram message.

Thomas last raced the Giro d'Italia in 2017, where he was looking for a chance to escape Chris Froome's shadow as the clear leader. He was in good form on that Corsa Rosa when a stopped police motorcycle sparked a high-speed crash on stage 9, forcing him to abandon the race.

The Welshman had hinted that he would return to the Giro one day, but never thought it would be in 2020. Now, instead of preparing for the Tour de France, he will likely take a short break and begin preparing for the Giro d'Italia, which starts Saturday, October 3, in Palermo, Sicily.

The Giro d'Italia route includes several hard mountain stages in the final week, but there are also three time trials that are favorable for the Welshman. Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo) and Jacob Fuglsang (Astana) will be Thomas' biggest rivals, as Remco Evenpole is absent after his crash at Il Lombardia.

"2017 was going great, just like 2018 when I won the Tour. The Giro didn't go well after that crash, so I've always wanted to go back," Thomas said, looking brave at the sudden change of goals.

"I enjoy racing in Italy, I love the roads, the fans, and the food. I enjoy racing in Italy and I love the roads, the fans, and the food.

Dave Brailsford, director of Team Ineos, suggested that the Giro would provide a great stage for Thomas to show what he is capable of. He was also able to appease race organizer RCS Sports while pulling defending champion Richard Carapas out of the Giro to compete in the Tour to help Bernal.

"We're going to focus on Gelant and give him a chance," Brailsford said, selling Thomas' move to the Giro as best he could.

"He finished second in the Tour and first in the Tour a year ago.

"The Welshman has never won the Giro and it's a big race. There are three time trials and the mountains suit him.