ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Geraint Thomas Becomes First Welshman to Win Tour de France

“The last time I cried was when I got married. I don’t know what’s happened to me.”

Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas claimed his first Tour de France title on Sunday, becoming the first Welshman to win the legendary race. Thomas, who drank champagne with his Team Sky teammates during the final ride into Paris, had never finished better than 15th in a grand tour. But after years of playing the supportive role for other Team Sky riders, he beat out Tom Doulin of the Netherlands and four-time champion Chris Froome, his teammate, to claim victory in the final stretch. Froome finished third, 2:24 behind Thomas, and the pair crossed the finish line together on Sunday. A day earlier, when it became clear he was set to win, Thomas struggled to hold back tears. “The last time I cried was when I got married. I don’t know what’s happened to me,” he told NBC, before breaking down and crying.