Thomas back in training preparing for Tour defence

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."

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

The Welshman's heavy crash raised fears that he would join injured teammate 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.