According to G is a classic modern sports autobiography: honest, self-aware, and grounded in the personality that made Geraint Thomas one of the most likeable figures in professional cycling. Covering his journey from suburban Cardiff to winning the Tour de France, the book blends elite sporting insight with a distinctly unpolished, down-to-earth voice.
At its core, the book is about longevity and resilience. Thomas charts a career that spans Olympic gold medals and Grand Tour success, but also injuries, near-misses, and years spent riding in support roles before his own breakthrough. That arc—from domestique to champion—is one of the book’s strongest elements, giving it a narrative drive that goes beyond a simple list of achievements.
What sets this autobiography apart is tone. Thomas leans into his “normal bloke” persona: there’s humour, self-deprecation, and an absence of grandiosity. He’s candid about the suffering behind elite cycling—the crashes, the grind, the mental toll—and this honesty makes the successes feel earned rather than inevitable. His reflections on riding through pain, team dynamics, and the realities of professional sport add depth without becoming overly technical.
The behind-the-scenes access is another highlight. Fans of cycling will appreciate insights into life in the peloton: rivalries, team strategy, and the culture within outfits like Team Sky/Ineos. But the book doesn’t require deep cycling knowledge—it remains accessible, focusing on human stories rather than jargon.
Where the book is slightly less distinctive is in structure. Like many autobiographies, it follows a fairly chronological path, and at times it can feel episodic rather than tightly shaped. Readers looking for a more literary or experimental memoir might find it conventional. However, that straightforwardness also makes it an easy, engaging read.
Verdict:
According to G succeeds because it mirrors its author: unpretentious, resilient, and quietly impressive. It’s not just a story about winning the Tour de France—it’s about the years of persistence that made that win possible. For cycling fans it’s a must-read; for general readers, it’s an engaging and human portrait of what it takes to stay at the top of a brutal sport for nearly two decades.
Rating: 4/5
