Adam Yates and Daniel Martinez were expected to lead the challenge of Ineos Grenadier in the Tour de Suisse, but instead Geraint Thomas took his third consecutive overall win.

Throughout the season, Thomas carefully avoided questions about Ineos' hierarchy and spoke of a simple goal: to enter the Tour de France in the best possible condition. His victory in the Tour de Suisse suggests that the Welsh rider is trying to keep his contract.

"For me it's easy. I just want to go out there and race hard and do what I can do," Thomas said. There are two other leaders on the team. Whether you stay on GC for a while and play another card, whether you go for a stage, whether you help another rider, ...... Whatever it takes. The opportunity will come. And if I have to, I will help everyone."

Thomas' position in Ineos' Tour de Suisse plans certainly changed during the week. He moved ahead of Martinez after the Colombian lost ground in the breathless opening stage, and with Yates retiring due to a positive test for COVID-19, Thomas became the outright leader.

Yates hopes to return in time for the Tour, and Martinez is expected to be in action in July after a strong second half of this race. Thomas admitted that Ineos has no one to match Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) or Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma), but insisted that their combined strength could challenge the Slovenian pair.

"I think we can definitely do it as a team," Thomas said. 'One against one is definitely a different story. They have a lot of talent, and we all know they've been the MVP the last few years. But I think we're a strong team. Now it's just a matter of staying healthy, which is easier said than done. But we have a strong team and everybody is motivated.

By winning this Tour de Suisse, Thomas has reached the seven-year itch he missed in the final race against Simon Spilak in 2015. On Sunday, he started the final time trial two seconds behind Sergio Iguita (Bora-Hansgrohe) and took the yellow jersey in second place on the stage behind Remco Evenpole (Quick Step-Alfa Vinyl).

"Honestly, I'm a little disappointed that I didn't win the stage. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't win, but I can't be too greedy. But I can't be too greedy. But I can't be too greedy. I'm happy with the overall win."

Thomas rode Sunday's stage on his new Pinarello time trial bike with its striking paint job. He said, "It's obviously a new bike and I'm trying to keep it under wraps until the Tour.

In 2018, Thomas' overall win at the Criterium du Dauphiné foreshadowed his eventual victory at the Tour de France. On Sunday, the 36-year-old Thomas downplayed the notion that he was in similar form here.

"I don't know about that, but I'm happy to win," Thomas said. "It was really hard from last year's Tour to the end of the season. I started this year a little bit on the back foot, but I just enjoyed the race, rode with the young guys on the team, and grew with them. I'm really happy to be back on top again."