Thomas wins Tour de France
Geraint Thomas wrote another page of British cycling history after sealing an incredible overall victory at the Tour de France.
The 32 year old became only the third Brit and first ever Welshman to win the yellow jersey, with an eventual winning margin of one minute and 51 secondsafter three weeks of hard racing.
Rolling into Paris alongside his teammates, Thomas’ victory represents the sixth success in seven years for Team Sky at the world’s biggest bike race.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was able to join Thomas on the podium after securing third place with a gutsy ride on Saturday’s time trial. Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) finished second and joined the duo on the fan-lined Champs-Elysees.
After thanking his teammates on the podium, he added: "I got into cycling because of this race. I remember running home from school to watch the Tour de France and the dream was always just to be a part of it. That came through 11 years ago back in 2007. Now I'm here, stood in the yellow jersey. It's incredible and it's a dream come true.
"To everyone back home, kids and the Maindy Flyers, just dream big. If people tell you it can't be done, if you believe in yourself and work hard just keep going. You're going to have knocks and downs. But keep believing, anything is possible and with hard work everything pays off in the end. Thanks for all the support!"
After thanking his teammates on the podium, he added: "I got into cycling because of this race. I remember running home from school to watch the Tour de France and the dream was always just to be a part of it. That came through 11 years ago back in 2007. Now I'm here, stood in the yellow jersey. It's incredible and it's a dream come true.
"To everyone back home, kids and the Maindy Flyers, just dream big. If people tell you it can't be done, if you believe in yourself and work hard just keep going. You're going to have knocks and downs. But keep believing, anything is possible and with hard work everything pays off in the end. Thanks for all the support!"
Thomas powered into yellow after victory on stage 10, and 24 hours later took another dream result with a memorable win atop the famed Alpe d’Huez. Thomas held the jersey for a further nine days with a series of assured performances, supported every step of the way by his team.
Froome began the race as team leader but wore the biggest smile after Thomas was all but confirmed as race winner following the time trial. Froome raced hard in the mountains, helping Thomas to close out yellow. Egan Bernal proved a complete revelation in his first Grand Tour. At 21 the Colombian was a tower of strength on the climbs, signalling the brightest of futures. In his first year with the team, Jonathan Castroviejo was an immense all-round presence, as once again was Michal Kwiatkowski. The pair routinely emptied the tank on the climbs and on the flat.
Wout Poels continued his run of being involved in the team’s Grand Tour success, putting in huge shifts in the mountains. For Luke Rowe to even make the start line was an incredible feat after a serious leg break last season. The team’s road captain was immense and got to ride into the French capital alongside fellow Welshman Thomas. After two weeks of hard work the team supported and accepted the race organisers decision to exclude Gianni Moscon from the race.
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