Thomas wins Tour de France

Thomas wins Tour de France

Team Sky (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!"

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.

"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 12 years ago back in 2007. Now I'm here, stood in the yellow jersey. It's incredible and it's a dream come true." - Geraint Thomas.

After stepping off the podium Froome was full of praise for Thomas.

He said: "It's amazing and quite emotional standing on the podium with G, being such a good mate. We've been teammates for 10 years, so to stand on that podium with him on the top step of the Tour de France - it's amazing to see how far he's come and I'm incredibly proud of him. 

"I've had a good run now with three Grand Tour victories in the last three I've done, and to be on the podium here again. It's been tough work and I'm really glad to be able to take a break now. My wife Michelle is expecting a baby any day now and I'm really looking forward to spending some time with the family now."

Fellow Welshman Luke Rowe admitted it was an emotional moment seeing Thomas on the podium. He added: "I'm immensely proud. I've known him a long time. We've grown up together from riding around on the streets on BMX's, to now be stood here looking up to the Champs-Elysees, looking up to the podium and the Arc de Triomphe and knowing G's going to be on the top step - it's just amazing. I'm proud for G and a proud Welshman.

"You look back and he never really looked under pressure massively. He always looked like he had it under control. But you can't win the Tour de France easily. It's a massive battle and a massive fight. I think every rider has their day and every rider is on their limit at certain times. He certainly was, just like the rest of the peloton, but he was the strongest and deserves to be stood on the top step."

Overall standings:

  1. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) 83:17:13
  2. Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) +1:51"
  3. Chris Froome (Team Sky) +2:24"
  4. Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) +3:22"
  5. Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) +6:08"

 

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