After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas did not ride the Tour de France, after a mutual decision with his team, instead focusing his efforts on the Giro d'Italia. He entered September's Tirreno–Adriatico, ahead of the Giro d'Italia the following month. He finished second to compatriot Simon Yates on the fifth stage, which finished at the ski resort; he ultimately finished the race in second overall, behind Yates. In between Tirreno–Adriatico and the Giro d'Italia, Thomas made his first appearance in the time trial at the UCI Road World Championships, finishing 4th. A crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia fractured his pelvis, and ended his season. The race was eventually won by his domestique, compatriot and teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart.
