Thomas back in training preparing for Tour defence

Paris - Geraint Thomas, the defending Tour de France champion, was back training on Friday just three days after a heavy crash forced him out of the Tour de Suisse.

"Back on the bike today," Ineos rider Thomas tweeted, adding a video he took on a cell phone after his ride.

"Beautiful day for it. Nice easy spin today."

"All good for me," Thomas said bringing the camera closer to his face to show a line of stitches. "Just a little cut above the eye."

The Welshman's heavy crash raised fears that he would join injured team-mate Chris Froome on the sidelines when the Tour de France starts in Brussels on July 6.

"Back to it," Thomas said in the video. "Big week next week."

Four-time Tour de France champion Froome broke a leg, hip, elbow and ribs in a horrific fall in the Criterium du Dauphine on June 12.

Back on the bike today ?? And got home in time to see @Eganbernal rip it up at Suisse ???? pic.twitter.com/PIY6px8dUx

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) June 21, 2019