It’s hard to appreciate when you’re watching at home on the sofa, with your feet up and a slice of cake, just how tough it is to ride one of cycling’s Classics.

Some of us may be fortunate enough to make a trip to the roads of Flanders once or twice in our life to test our mettle in the sportive, but for most it’ll remain a remote dream. Geraint Thomas is one man who has proved time and again that he has the guts to mix it in the Classics – the true testing ground of any hardman.

In fact, you could make an argument that if he were to leave Team Sky where he’s an invaluable support rider occasionally given the chance to ride for himself and move to a more Classics-focused squad with a  leadership position, then he could be an all-time great.

Thomas’ Classics palmarès include top tens at Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in 2014 and a win at E3 Harelbeke this season, alongside his top three placing at Gent-Wevelgem. He also won the 2004 Junior Paris-Roubaix and has picked up top tens in Dwars door Vlanderen and Omloop het Nieuwsblad.

It’s only a matter of time before Thomas is standing on the top step of a Classics podium.