Home UK Thousands welcome home Geraint Thomas in Cardiff

Thousands welcome home Geraint Thomas in Cardiff

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Geraint Thomas has made a triumphant return to his home town of Cardiff where thousands of people turned out to celebrate his recent victory in the Tour de France.

The Team Sky rider, who last month became the first Welshman to win the gruelling three-week event, rode into the city wearing the famous yellow jersey, followed by his own peloton of local riders, many of them children.

Image: Geraint Thomas rode into Cardiff where thousands turned out to celebrate his win

He ditched the bike near Cardiff Castle to greet fans, as he shook hands and signed autographs.

Cardiff welcomed home one of its heroes
Image: Cardiff welcomed home one of its heroes

Thomas said it "could have been awkward or a bit tense" between him and defending champion Chris Froome, who led the Tour early on, but it wasn't because Froome "was happy for me" and was "a true gentleman about it", when Thomas took the lead.

It has been suggested that one of them may now leave the team, but Thomas said there is "definitely" enough room on Team Sky for them both.

Geraint Thomas in Cardiff
Image: Thomas cycles through the streets of Cardiff

"There's plenty of other races as well," he added.

He admitted he had yet to sign a new contract, but said: "Not yet, but we're close, obviously Team Sky is working well for me. I'm sure we'll get it sorted."

The hero is welcomed home
Image: A thumbs up for the crowd

Thomas admitted he was stunned by the size of the crowd and told Sky News his victory last month had not really sunk in and that the welcome home was "overwhelming", adding it "was insane how many people came to the castle".

Geraint Thomas discusses his Tour de France win on Sky News 0:44
Video: Thomas: 'It could have been awkward' with Froome

Told that the crowd to greet him was bigger than that for Harry and Meghan in January, Thomas shrugged and said "pretty good scalps to have, I guess".

Geraint Thomas posed for pictures with fans in Cardiff
Image: Thomas posed for pictures with fans in Cardiff

Thomas said he will return to training later this month, but admitted he may need to get some laundry done first, as he had been wearing his yellow jersey "for the last 10 days and it's probably a bit smelly".

More from Tour de France 2018

Many people who turned out to see him posted pictures to social media, among them @OutofBroadcast, who tweeted a picture of Geraint with his young peloton before they set off, saying "#GeraintThomas on Saint Mary Street #Cardiff."

@MikeOwen2390 summed up the feelings of many, posting a picture Thomas holding up a Wales flag by Cardiff Castle, saying "Someone put the Welshness up to 11 at the #GeraintThomas home coming @maxboyceMBE @fmwales it was great."

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