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.
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.
Find clinic
For further information about accessing Arthrosamid® treatment contact the Contura Orthopaedics Team via enquiries@arthrosamid.com.
Arthrosamid® is a first in-class synovial implant delivered as a single, delivered as a single, minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia with ultrasound guidance.1 It provides significant reduction in knee OA pain over a longer period with one single treatment.2,3 Arthrosamid® integrates within the tissue lining of your knee joint, softening and increasing the elasticity of this tissue leading to clinically proven decreased joint stiffness and pain, and improved knee function.4,5,6
Cure Leukaemia was established in 2003 to allow patients with blood cancer to access remarkably effective new treatments which were then becoming available. Since inception, Cure Leukaemia has expanded and are now able to offer life-saving treatment to patients across the UK. This support drives global significant advancements in blood cancer, impacting those affected by the disease worldwide.
1.Arthrosamid®, Instructions For Use. Release Date March 2022. 10082-003.
2. Bliddal, H., et al. (2024) 3 year follow-up from a randomized controlled trial of intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. Vol 32 (6): 770-771.
3. Bliddal, H., et al. (2025) A Prospective Study of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: Results From 5 Years After Treatment. Presented at WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2025.
4. Bliddal, H., et al. (2024). Polyacrylamide gel versus hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Vol 42(9):1729-1735.
5. Bliddal, H., et al. (2021) Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A 6 Months Prospective Study. J Orthop Res Ther. Vol 6 (2). 1188. ISSN 2575-8241
6. Henriksen, M., et al. (2018). Intra-articular 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: an observational proof-of-concept cohort study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Vol 36(6):1082-85. Epub 2018 Jul 18. PMID: 30148430.
