Can 4 Amateurs Beat A Tour De France Champion? | Geraint Thomas Vs GCN

A few months ago we tried to race against actual pros on the open road, and it's fair to say we were thoroughly beaten. But what if that race was on Zwift? And what if instead of three pros we raced only 1? Well we got in touch with Tour de France champion and all-round legend Geraint Thomas who, to our surprise, was more than happy to give this race a go! Can our presenter line up beat a real life Tour de France winner? The results might just surprise you...
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[@gcn]

Who would you like to see us race next?

[@kevinmartin35]

Greipel

[@olivergaitan4455]

Mark cavendish

[@ellipticalsoul]

Remco

[@RealDodnmy]

Boris Johnson

[@thehomelander2183]

Can you do another with Andrew feather on him vs a you guys on a climb? Would be incredible. Thanks guys.

[@stevenking9357]

That was hilarious. G was chatting up Ollie and Ollie couldn't even get a word out.

[@HuntShootOffroad]

Power zones lol

[@medwintombocon3399]

Zone 2 😆

[@davepratt9909]

Tossing the bottle and pounding the bars was classic.

[@DominicBurford]

G was definitely holding back. He wasn't even out of breathe while the others were gasping for air. G has nothing to prove - he's won the TdF and is happy to let the other guys have a win. A true gentleman and sportsman.

[@marks4471]

Exactly. Ollie could barely talk while G was maybe at 70%...LOL

[@prestachuck2867]

I don’t think G ever got himself over zone 3 of 5. He basically warmed himself up, and rode just below his sweetspot, never out of breath. Worked just hard enough to break a sweat without a fan blowing on himself. Had he gone full gas at any point, the lot of them never would’ve been able to catch him again. G is one class act. Such a great sport.

[@bilwit]

@@prestachuck2867 No you can see the w/kg at 14:20. The thing is that it was only 12km/27 minutes. He could do that effort for twice that amount (even longer), whereas Ollie was spent. Endurance fitness is more logarithmic, which is why shorter courses level the playing field a lot more. If they did an hour or longer course (or a steep one like AdZ/AdH), his WT level fitness (even in the off season) would more easily separate from them.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@bilwit Absolutely correct. G is good on long steady efforts, that‘s why he didn‘t react to every sprint Pog and Jonas did on the climbs. I GCN tried this against a MvdP or WvA now in full cyclocross mode where 1hr full gas counts it would look very different.

[@phenofinder9145]

Okay. All we got from this is natural cyclist don't have the red cells to keep up with a pro

[@exmum]

Thomas was sitting at 400 watts at 120 bpm, that is just so crazy and shows how far off us mere mortals are with the pros

[@upgrade222]

I belive he wasn't wearing a hr monitor

[@PhiyackYuh]

Not surprising really. He’s a pro for a reason.

[@jimmyc3594]

That was Toby the German lad who also came in last. 🤯🤯🤯

[@mattiapalombi1597]

No HR data

[@gcn]

Hahahaha... you saying he went easy on us 😂

[@daviddjerassi]

Geraint is one hell of a sportsman i give him full marks not many champions would do this ,Thank you GCN i loved the video.

[@MattButlerAL]

I love how easily G was able to make comments to the GCN boys during the race....he made it look like a ride in the park!

[@gcn]

Hahaha he was all over us 😂

[@chasc301]

G is a legend. Enjoyed hearing the crew giggling in the garage too.

[@bryannguyen3625]

I love how much trash G talks. What an icon. I keep getting more and more impressed with Ollie. Dude is putting in the work and it's paying off!

[@adam872]

Yeah I enjoyed that. Constantly alpha-ing the GCN lads. Good fun.

[@steven320]

Jokes aside,Ollie is a quality rider. Looking lean and fast. Nice job.

[@farmerpiney]

4.7 w/kg is a solid A rider

[@ChrisGuarraia]

Loved Ritchie’s comment about Ollie-“From dropped to dropper.” Seriously, though. Dr. Ollie is a beast. Well done and Good Luck, G, on the Tour Down Under!

[@billywills5807]

G needs to be a regular! The banter was epic! Good on you Ollie! Best video clip I’ve seen in awhile! Ollie did you peak for this??

[@saxmon3000]

G says, "thanks for the zone 2 workout guys!"

[@alycevonrothkirch8698]

Yes to more collaboration videos! Good to see Richie and Tobi... When are the English-speaking GCN presenters going to appear on GCN auf Deutsch speaking German? (Here's hoping...) And seems to me that Geraint was holding back just a tad. Which just confirms that he's a nice guy. Cymru am byth!

[@gcn]

What do you think they should make us do 😬?

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

Not sure their Germany would be up to scratch.😂

[@mikedittsche]

@@suisinghoraceho2403 Ollie seemed quite proficient in German at the Eurobike - I really enjoyed that episode and had a good laugh at his unexpected bits.

[@biglegcatluvr]

Man I really hope G does KZbin when he retires, the dude is just so funny and charismatic. Also holding sub 5.0w/kg at like Z2 really shows how much physical talent top level cyclists have even if we try our hardest

[@bryansmith7490]

Way to let Ollie win G, it will build his confidence. Thomas wasn’t even breathing hard after the ride 😂

[@gcn]

Hahaha might come back to bite him if Ollie suddenly turns pro. 🙌

[@zeiss72]

The insatiable trolling by G on Oille was hilarious! Great content again GCN!

[@gcn]

Thanks! G is a great sport for having us

[@MrPotatoYouTuber]

Geraint Thomas looking like he was doing a zone 2 ride. Absolute beast of a cyclist.

[@gcn]

He is one amazing rider 🙌

[@schorniflo]

He actually did :D

[@tankbirdfinder6219]

I love it!, Quote from G, "Hank you don't have to brake for corners on Zwift" that is classic and totally RAD. True gentlemen and good sport.

[@gcn]

Just putting a couple of jabs there 😂

[@DTeazee]

love at 14:00, there's just steam coming off the back of Geraint Thomas lol

[@gs78798]

G was so entertaining the whole race. :-) "Is this the cheat? You have to go (...) out of the saddle? You're all out of the saddle." Gets out of the saddle as well. 😂

[@swilson94]

Looked like G was holding back. GCN riders were blowing chunks and G looked like he was cruising. I think he's assuaging your egos, fellas 🤣

[@jovan.vuckovic]

He probably didn't want to go above zone 3 🤣

[@stennan]

@@jovan.vuckovic looking back we can not see heart rate.

[@ezeekwheel]

@@jovan.vuckovic lol was going to say the same 332w is definitely stub threshold

[@joerenner8334]

Ya think? Lol! G puts down 500 watts like he is riding a bit of tempo. Probably was!

[@mmmbetter55]

Clearly lol

[@chrisfoglesong2017]

This was the funniest video you guys have done in awhile. G interviewing Ollie at the end of the race had me dying. 😂

[@joeelliott2157]

G's questions didn't seem to be that tough, but it still left him speechless.

[@primaltone]

That was epic. Amazing to see how utterly unbothered G was while GCN boys were dying. That said, hats off to everyone but Ollie's the MVP here. Way to go, Dude: you inspire.

[@DeTaPix]

Would be amazing to see Ollie's VO2 max test.

[@willsketchesmusic]

It’s probably in the high 60s, given that he says he’s done 5W/kg over half an hour at around 68kg and using some estimates and formulas.

[@philadams9254]

@@willsketchesmusic he did 5.8 for 7:01 at the national recently. My mate was a few seconds ahead and had his VO2 Max measured at 70 in September

[@fritzcoleman4915]

That was very funny! What a great sport G was. I loved him quizzing Ollie like they were riding in a car. Truly lol. I hope G really did have a good time and will maybe make another appearance on GCN.

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

G is a legend he was casually keeping up while taking the Michael. Must be a brilliant team-mate, I hope he does more videos

[@jonathandeng3397]

Albert Contador, now Geraint Thomas. Ollie the maillot jaune slayer!

[@gcn]

The difference in their facial expressions says it all! 🤣

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Can't get much more "real" than that, seriously awesome video.Thanks Geraint Thomas.

[@kestralrider313]

Very entertaining video watching Geraint toy with you guys; Ollie was crushing it today, and it's been fun watching him transform from the GCN presenter most likely to be dropped, to become a climbing beast. Ollie, we hope that you keep up the training and habits that led to your transformation. I was surprised to see Ollie riding hills with the disk, but maybe the Zwift math/physics support this equipment choice.

[@gcn]

Ollie has been smashing it 🙌 Now he is dropping pros!

[@yules_3000]

At least G didn't fall off his bike this time ;) Kidding. What an amazing person.

[@Eramsay121]

That's why they had the race indoors, for his safety

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

😂😂😂, nice dig at quick step and reference to Ian at the end.

[@lilbruin]

GT making a crack about Hank's intellect and OB laughing. With friends like these …

[@mikediep8578]

Zwift marketing totally got me. I'm a total amateur and can only do like 120 watts for 15 minutes before I'm done but it's so fun.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Cav would be interesting if you bring in GMBN‘s Blake and manage to drag him to a sprint. On Zwift, everybody is more or less the same aero (except from 130cm Dan Lloyd)

[@GalleryBones]

How can you not love G he's such a great guy

[@lifeisgood12341]

The way G was steaming is super cool. I want to ride outside and steam myself now

[@michaelmerry678]

Brilliant when Gee threw the bottle and banged the bars, it was a laugh out loud moment.

[@donaldyoung8866]

Brill, loved G’s trolling while the rest were breathing out their arses. Nice one Ollie

[@trakov]

G teasing Bridgewood - classic 😂 “so what’s good about this Zwift thing? What does GCN stand for?” 😂😂😂

[@mickwilson2170]

Fast is fun.... but I'm sure G is faster!!! This must be one of the most fun videos you have ever produced! Big props to how far ollie has come and a massive thanks to G for being so amazing with his time.... you can see how much mature athletes self confidence elevates the entire sport. Amazing job everyone

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@trentmiller4149]

Probably my favorite GCN ever!! G is a legend!!

[@invalice123]

G is a legend in my heart

[@localride51rivertrail37]

Superb. Absolutely love this video. So much fun and great competitive cycling spirit. Obviously G is being a good sport and just having some fun riding on Zwift. They are all incredible athletes. Cool stuff.

[@gcn]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@Chreeeys]

GCN - you guys produce so much good content. This is really a gem :D

[@gcn]

Ollie wont be forgetting this one in a while 🙌

[@jimbo2112]

Riding with the Cromwell Road Massive! Nice work Ollie.

[@daetann]

G doing a warm up, GCN doing a heartattacker. nice show. all the best in AUS, G!

[@AirSpace]

Zone 2 ride for G and Ollie savors the laurels. Great sportsmanship.

[@starlitshadows]

While Geraint was taking it easy I do think Ollie suprised him a bit with this performance. Good on Ollie. More of this guys. Quite enjoyed this one.

[@gcn]

He's making a thing out of dropping pros 😉

[@chrisbaum998]

You are amazing Ollie!! Enjoyed seeing more of a personal side of professional cyclist Geraint Thomas. Awesome Video. Give us more GCN!!

[@gcn]

Thanks a lot! Have you seen our interview with G on this weeks GCN show?

[@chrisbaum998]

@@gcn Yes, 24 questions was fun also!

[@willian.direction6740]

Well done great fun and banter with some exercise thrown in. Looking forward to see G flash past at TDU. I always remember his great attack on Cork Screw.

[@lilly7500]

Frickin love these GCN vs. Pro races!!!

[@reusserfarm1]

Way to go Ollie, you have definitely have improved your performance and that’s a feather in your cap from all the times you’ve been dropped. Loved the interview with G after your race, lots of great questions and his answers.

[@gcn]

We can drop him all we like now, Ollie beat G... what more could he want? 😂

[@skippervevo8441]

When he asked Olly the full meaning of GCN, that was a knockout attack 😂😂😂. Nice video. This simply shows that champions are not made in a day

[@jbdvries]

I thought I was watching a GCN video, but Ollie didn't get dropped... This must be a new channel. Well done Ollie!

[@gcn]

He's making a habit out of dropping pros 👀

[@jonathanzappala]

Ollie on the rivet, and G talking in complete sentences 😂

[@jebrossard]

That was epic! Quote of the week: "...from dropped to dropper!".

[@pcm9969]

G was hardly breaking a sweat. He was chatting, no sprinting to the finish, etc. But it was good action anyway. And kudos to Ollie. He is an inspiration.

[@angela-onesroman8873]

That was just delicious man, fun to watch, let's see a rematch...

[@robfreshwater7726]

This feels like a victory we are going to be hearing about A LOT!!!

[@willlehrfeld457]

What fun, thanks guys!!

[@ASGundogs]

I’d say G had been watching the “ Ride Slower to go faster video” and didn’t want to break the talk test 🤣

[@liamroche1473]

Four GCN presenters in zone 5 can beat one TdF winner in zone 2 to 3. :) Great job everyone!

[@jeremyedwards3612]

Great to see the original G pain cave. Insight into a bit of cycling history there.

[@oxjepoxje]

Nice bit of zone 2 training for G

[@TonyMilsom-fe9fn]

What great fun! Brought a smile to my face -the fantastic effort of the GCN team and then the relative ease with which G rode. Well done one and all. Zone2/3 mainly for the man - threshold and beyond for OB. What are their individual FTPs?

[@BethanyBlount]

Stellar job, Ollie!! "From dropped to dropper" :D

[@gcn]

He smashed it 🙌

[@luckbox360]

I remember G doing a 24 hour charity event on Zwift , I had to fight so hard to keep up with him for on hour...I think he was averaging like 180-200w!

[@kevin._.farren]

Ollie turning himself inside out. G…cracking jokes and goofing around. Pretty sure he held some in reserve, though he was sweating pretty good. Quality guy all around.

[@gcn]

Hahaha did he let Ollie win? It depends on who you ask 🤷‍♀

[@luzzyrogue]

I rewatched the video twice, and I can say it's another explendid act from GCN. Numbers shown on the screen were not G's, as its confidential.

[@aGhost0o]

This was great fun to watch. Hit the like as soon as Geraint squirted Ollie with the water bottle!

[@davidmurray3685]

Oh that was glorious!! G and GCN.... two total legends... Cracked up with Gs antics esp the water bottle squirt 😂😂😂😂

[@gcn]

Hahahah do you think he went easy on us? 👀

[@chrismadge7292]

Hilarious, G was a great sport racing with you guys. 😊

[@238949]

Geraint looks so annoyed, fabulous :)

[@fabianwylie8707]

The pain cave 😂😂. Love it GCN 🎉🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️💪

[@GaryMarsh2]

Outstanding effort GCN... Of course, G's 400 watts at 120 bpm blows me away! Great video. Let's see Sepp Kuss in one of these!

[@philridley7457]

Fair play to you Ollie ..banging performance

[@gavinhazard75]

That's one of the best interactions I have seen with g and the team funny

[@gcn]

He's a natural isn't he!

[@veloperformance]

Lols. G just smiling while the boys are killing themselves. 😂

[@PercyTP5161]

Great video. G looked like when they warm up before a big stage, easy spinning. You GCN riders are strong cyclists, then you see a pro who is pretty much free-wheeling and keeping up, just males you realise how incredible they are. Great content as always :)

[@mattmcdowell5225]

We don't care who you guys race next... As long as they're gonna have as much fun with it as G seemed to while spraying Ollie w water, slamming his bottle down. etc. Somebody who isn't in the Pro peloton, but would have fun in this kinda venture.... Mr. Shut Up Legs. Jens?!?

[@gamby16a]

Fantastic video. Result notwithstanding, it shows how G & other grand tour pros are a different species. Him calmy chatting whilst heckling a dying Ollie was genius. 😄

[@socacyclist]

That was great. Loved it. I ran into GT at the airport in Nice (also on the same flight) earlier this year and he is a very nice guy.

[@kehlmandt1138]

Has Ollie now taken down two tour de france champions? that is the new series. Ollie takes down tour Champions!

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

That was great edge of the saddle stuff! Well done Ollie! Commiserations to G!

[@anneyeurism1850]

I can't stop looking at Geraint literally steaming the entire time.

[@xavcarmic0686]

Glad I watched that just to hear G is coming to Aussie for the TDU 👍👍👍😀😀😀

[@FoobsTon]

Fair play to these lads... They got his attention.

[@allannadobson4424]

Yeah G is og awesome 🙌 but Ollie has the best hair ever 😜

[@mx2000]

As a non-native speaker, I think you should seriously consider putting subtitles under Geraint 😂

[@mightytalisker1981]

Absolutely brilliant video.

[@gcn]

Glad you liked it!

[@mattstorey7683]

I love these 16 minute long adverts for Zwift

[@LeMenuisier]

Love it! Chapeau Dr. Bridgewood. Julian next.

[@brunohighflyer]

EXELENT CONTENT! Keep up the good work gcn

[@FlatSpinMan]

That was good fun. G seems like such a good guy.

[@RobertForrister]

OMG so much fun to watch. Good job all

[@touchphotography]

Just brilliant & funny.... Well done GCN & G 👏👏👏

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it 👀

[@lambo79]

G is such a pro! gracious rider

[@greghart6310]

That was fun, G the OG soldier

[@whatwelearned]

"It's England Vs Wales today" *literally half the team is German*

[@mib7483]

Awesome job Ollie! I have been in that breathless, don't even look at me position.