Geraint Thomas missed Saturday's Santos Tour Down Under warm-up criterium due to an infection, but he has held out hope to kick off the 2023 season at the World Tour race in Australia, which officially opens on Tuesday.

Thomas was joined by Chris Froome (Israel Premier Tech), 2022 Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), and Michael Matthews (Jayco Alura) at a pre-race press conference, where he revealed some of his issues heading into the race.

Matthews is favored to win this year's Tour Down Under, while Jayco Alura is looking to start 2023 successfully with a "home" race. Hindley's condition is unknown, and Froome revealed that he contracted COVID-19 for the second time just before Christmas.

"I got a little infection right before Christmas. I thought I was over it, but then it came back a little bit. I was on antibiotics and missed a few days of training. It's so bad being in the house when it's so sunny here in Australia.

"I went for a run today and felt ok. I won't be able to go tonight (to the night criterium), but everything is fine, so I'll be there on Tuesday."

Despite his injury, Thomas seemed to be in good shape. He has been in Australia with his family since the New Year and is eager to start the 2023 season with the Giro d'Italia in May as his goal.

Due to an infection, he is not Ineos Grenadier's protector at the Tour Down Under, but he is confident that the British team has a contender for the win.

"I just want to enjoy the race. I'm happy to be back here. As Stuey [race director Stuart O'Grady] said, there are some great stages to get into," Thomas said emphatically.

"I'm very excited to be racing with this team. We have three favourites for the win and riders who can make it to the front: Ethan (Hayter), Magnus (Sheffield), and Plappy (Luke Plapp). Looking forward to it

Also in the lineup for the Ineos Grenadiers are veteran road captain and sprinter Ben Swift and talented young German Kim Heiduk.

Thomas trained in the Adelaide Hills before the infection returned, allowing him to analyze the new Tour Down Under route, including studying Tuesday's 5.5km prologue time trial.

Known as a time triallist and having competed in the Tour Down Under eight times in his long career, the Welshman knows that every second counts for overall success.

"This race has fought for seconds before. It mixes up the race a little bit and is a great way to start this race. It will be a really interesting race," he predicted. [The course is technical every day and has some corners. Time trials are always different for road bikes and TT bikes. It's the first big five minutes of the year, so it's going to hurt," Thomas predicted.

Asked to predict the overall standings, Thomas was loyal to his teammate Ineos Grenadier.

"My guess is Magnus, Ethan, and Plappy. But I think Michael Matthews will be there too."

He jokingly dismissed the possibility of his former teammate at Ineos Grenadiers, former time trial world champion Rohan Dennis from Adelaide.

"Rohan Dennis is a man of the past," he said. Thomas said with his usual sarcastic humor.

"He shouldn't have changed teams. Tell him I said so."

Thomas will turn 37 on May 25, when he will try to win the overall at the Giro d'Italia. He was disappointed by the limited time trial for the 2023 Tour de France, so he will target the Corsa Rosa and take on Remco Evenpole in Italy, despite his impressive third place finish in the 2022 Tour de France.

He has not yet decided if he will continue racing beyond 2023, but he maintains his drive and discipline to race and train.

"I'm enjoying it as always. It helps to have young riders in the team. They are very enthusiastic and their energy helps me grow."

"I still love riding the bike, racing and preparing. When I'm at the top of a race, when I'm competitive, I feel great, whether I win or not. I'm doing okay."