CYCLING

Geraint Thomas insists he can get his head down and pedal hard this weekend as he has the rest of his life “to chill and drink cocktails.”

Thomas lead Ineos Grenadiers into the Vuelta a España, knowing his career is in its late stages.

But Wales’ 37-year-old former Tour de France winner has already proved he can be a contender after he finished as runner-up at the Giro d’Italia earlier this year.

“It’s easy to commit now I know I’m at the end of my career,” said Thomas.

“I might as well commit to this and see what I can do. Then I’ve got the rest of my life to chill and drink cocktails.”

The race gets underway on Saturday in Barcelona, kicking off with a 14.8-kilometre team time trial before heading into the mountains, finishing on Sunday 17 September in Madrid.

Thomas, starts La Vuelta for only the second time, marking his 19th career Grand Tour.

He will be supported by a strong and experienced group of racers, including former Tour de France and Giro d’Italia winner Egan Bernal.

Thomas added: “It has been strange building up to two peaks in the season, it’s not something I normally do.

“It’s usually just one big hit and then a la playa, but we will see. I’m looking forward to it. I’m feeling good, and the team here is good and motivated.”

ATHLETICS

Welsh sprinting star Jeremiah Azu gets his chance to shine on Friday night at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Azu is part of the Great Britain relay squad that will run in the heats of the 4x100m relay, with the finals scheduled for Saturday night.

Azu did not get picked for the 100m individual competition, but is part of a talented relay squad along with Zharnel Hughes, Jona Efoloko, Adam Gemili, and Eugene Amo-Dadzie.

The 22-year-old Azu became the first Welshman to win the UK sprint title since Ron Jones achieved the feat in 1969 when he won last summer.

HOCKEY

Wales and Austria had their Friday morning match halted for bad weather at the EuroHockey Championshiops in Germany.

The match was poised at 1-1, when play was suspended due to thunderstorms.

Wales had lost their previous match, 8-1 to the Netherlands.