"I'm Geraint Thomas," he said politely."And I'm a bike rider"

The Doc salutes the Welshman's staying power and charm

- Michael Hutchinson

The first thing I'll say about Geraint Thomas announcing his retirement is that the timing is good. Pro riders almost always have a very special year after they stop racing. Despite not lifting a stick in training, their riding form is phenomenal, because they finally stop knocking themselves out with huge volumes of work and spending months living like a monk at the top of a 2000-metre volcano. It's the training taper to end them all.

Normally, this golden year is either completely wasted because they never go near a bike, or it's used for no more than terrifying paying amateur riders on commercial "ride with a pro" type holiday events. I admire riders like Geraint who have the savvy to announce a final season early, so they can knock back the training as soon as possible and enjoy the pleasures of not being exhausted the whole time. It's transient, but it's living the dream - class without effort, watts without pain. I predict a great year for him.

HOW TO...OWN A BIKE SHOP

You don't want to own a bike shop. They are fine in principle, of course. But they have two problems, which are the customers and the bicycles.