Thomas Rides Into Paris To Seal Tour Win And Join Cycling Greats

Geraint Thomas rode himself into the record books as he was crowned Tour de France champion.

The Cardiff-born rider became the first Welshman and only the third Brit in history to win the coveted Yellow Jersey of the world’s greatest cycle race.

Thomas’ win was sealed as he crossed the finish line in Paris as he followed in the wheel tracks of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

Team Sky teams-mate Froome had to settle for third as his four year reign as Tour de France king was ended by the 32-year-old.

Thomas, who had so often played the support role for Froome, rode arm in arm with the outgoing champ as Alexander Kristoff won the sprint finish on the Champs-Elysees.

HIs winning margin over second placed Dutchman Tom Dumoulin was one minute 51 seconds.

After crossing the line, Thomas admitted: “It’s unbelievable. It’s going to take a while to sink in.

“Normally that stage is really hard but today I just seemed to float around it. I had goosebumps going around there.

“The support from the Welsh, British flags… it’s unreal. It’s the Tour de France. To ride around wearing this yellow jersey is a dream.

“With the boys, that’s the main thing for the whole three weeks, we stuck together through some tough times, sstayed strong.

“When I rode on the Champs-Elysees for the first time in 2007, that was insane – just to finish the race and just to be a part of it.

“To now be riding round winning it is just incredible. It’s just a whirlwind. I seem to be floating around on cloud nine.

“Maybe when I’m 70, sat in a corner of a pub telling some 18-year-old what I used to be, it will sink in. It’s incredible, the stuff of dreams.”

The convention on the Tour is that the Yellow Jersey is not attacked on the final stage allowing him and his team-mates to celebrate with champagne on the road to the French capital.

Thomas could also link arms for pictures and both holding a Welsh flag with fellow Cardiff born rider Luke Rowe who has played such a key support role during the race.

Froome had gone into the race favourite and looking for a Grand Tour double this year following his Giro d’Italia triumph.

But it was double Olympic track champion Thomas who proved the stronger completing a journey that began at the Maindy Flyers club in his home city.