Geoff Thomas returns to take on the Tour de France challenge for seventh time
In June 2025, former England international and Crystal Palace footballer Geoff Thomas will ride the Tour de France, 20 years since he first completed the iconic 21 stages. He will be raising vital funds for Cure Leukaemia, a cause close to his heart having overcome chronic myeloid leukaemia himself twenty years ago.
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Thomas’ journey to the start line has been marred with injury setbacks and debilitating knee pain, yet thanks to the innovative hydrogel injection Arthrosamid®, his knee osteoarthritis pain is under control and he is back in training ready to conquer one of cycling’s most iconic courses.
In 2003, just a year after retiring from professional football, Thomas was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (a form of blood cancer) and was given just three months to live. However, after receiving a stem cell transplant from his sister Kay and undergoing treatment from Professor Charlie Craddock CBE, co-founder of Cure Leukaemia, Geoff entered remission in January 2005.
This life-saving treatment has motivated him to give back, dedicating himself to raising awareness and funds for blood cancer patients across the globe.
Speaking on his decision to return to the Tour, Geoff said: “I’ve got to come back for one more Tour to celebrate 20 years since I first rode the Tour de France. It’s an incredibly special event for me, not only because of the challenge it presents, but because of the cause it supports. Every year we ride, we make a real difference, and I am proud to be part of it again in 2025 in just under 12 weeks!
"It wasn’t easy making the come back to the Tour, but receiving Arthrosamid®’s injection has relieved the knee pain I was experiencing and allowed me to train to my full potential. Without the support of the team and Mark Gillett I wouldn’t have had the chance to participate again, so I’m hugely grateful to be able to get back and cycle on this iconic course again.”
Rakesh Tailor, CEO of the Contura Orthopaedics, comments: “We are delighted by the news of Geoff’s participation in his seventh Tour 21, and we feel honoured that Arthrosamid® has played a part in helping him get to the start line in June.
"Despite setbacks, Geoff is now taking on one of the most iconic routes of cycling yet again, this just shows that having knee osteoarthritis doesn’t mean you have to stop doing what you love, there are treatments out there like Arthrosamid® that allow athletes to continue participating in sporting activities and challenge their bodies.”
For further information about accessing Arthrosamid® treatment contact the Contura Orthopaedics Team via enquiries@arthrosamid.com.
Support Geoff and the Tour 21 team in changing the future of treatment for blood cancer patients across the globe by donating to their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/2025thetour21.
