By kazimladimeji 
🏁 Why This Book Matters
In his warm and approachable new autobiography, According to G: The Autobiography, Geraint Thomas recounts a remarkable career from modest beginnings in Cardiff to Olympic gold medals and victory in the Tour de France.
Thomas stands out because he describes himself as “just a normal bloke from Cardiff”. As he explained, “I was the total opposite to Cav and Brad: just a normal bloke from Cardiff who you’d go down the pub with and have a pint — who then ended up winning the Tour.”
🚴♂️ What the Book Covers
- Roots & Rise – From junior ranks through track success to road ambitions.
- Track-to-Road Transition – How Thomas moved from Olympic track gold to road racing and mountain climbs.
- Tour de France & Major Wins – The story behind the yellow jersey, the preparation and mindset.
- Team Dynamics & Marginal Gains – Insights into what goes on behind the scenes of big teams
- Down-Times & Reflection – The struggles, the injuries, the identity shifts.
- Legacy & After-Racing Thoughts – How Thomas looks back on his career and what comes next.
💬 Standout Quotes
- “I was the total opposite to Cav and Brad: just a normal bloke from Cardiff…”
- “Riding most of the 2013 Tour de France with a fractured pelvis … you find you can go deeper and suffer a lot more than you think.”
- “It’s strange it’s finishing, because it’s been my life since I was a junior.”
- “What people might not see is the hard work you do from November to the race in July.”
- “Yes, yes … the suffering defines professional cycling.”
- “Whatever I end up doing now, I definitely still want to be as good as I can be.”
- “I was lucky my whole career, really, with how things have panned out.”
- “A ‘normal bloke’ who ended up winning the Tour. That’s the bit people might find weird when they don’t really know me.”
🎁 Why According to G Makes a Great Christmas Gift
- Relatable protagonist – Not only for hard-core cycling fans but for anyone who enjoys “underdog to winner” stories.
- Beautiful hardback – Ideal for gifting and display, especially in the UK market.
- Conversation-rich – Great for giving to your cycling-club friends, training partners, or family who ride.
- Complements other cycling reads – Works well alongside beloved memoirs to build a mini-library.
📚 Related Reads
Here are two other excellent cycling memoirs to consider:
- Believe by Mark Cavendish – A high-velocity look at sprinting success and the mindset of a champion.
- The Chain by Bradley Wiggins – A raw and emotional memoir about identity, post-career struggle and self-discovery.
✅ Final Verdict
According to G is a must-read for anyone interested in cycling, sport, or simply an authentic human journey. It may not be as fireworks-filled as sprint-finishes or post-controversies, but it stands out for its honesty, humility and breadth of experience.
For someone riding around the Cotswolds, tackling hills like Birdlip or Frocester, the story of a “normal bloke” rising through perseverance, teamwork and incremental progress will feel very familiar — and perhaps very motivating.
“What people might not see is the hard work you do from November to the race in July.” — Geraint Thomas