Geraint Thomas reflects on 'super special' Cardiff swansong after ending glittering career at Tour of Britain: 'It meant so much'

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Geraint Thomas experienced a hugely emotional end to his cycling career in Cardiff. The 39-year-old fittingly decided to call it a day whilst competing at the Tour of Britain, with the final stage finishing in his home town. Thomas enjoyed many highlights in a wonderful career, and has the honour of being the first Welshman to win the Tour de France seven years ago.

‘What a way to finish’ – Thomas reflects on ‘emotional’ final race of legendary career

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Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) pulled the curtain down on his glittering career at the Tour of Britain with an emotional homecoming in Cardiff.

Thomas will go down in British cycling folklore after winning two Olympic gold track medals and an unforgettable 2018 Tour de France triumph, as he hangs up his bike for good.

Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ) finished as the overall general classification winner in a stage won by Visma-Lease a Bike's Olav Kooij.

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Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) came second, while Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) completed the podium - and British rider Oscar Onley of Team Picnic PostNL took fourth place.

But for many, the day belonged to Thomas, who was treated to a rapturous welcome in his home town of Cardiff after being given a guard of honour before the final stage began at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport.

"It was emotional crossing over the line," he told TNT Sports. "I was riding through Birch Grove and all the fans, I was almost choking up riding my bike, which was weird. Then to cross the line with Swifty [Ben Swift - Ineos team-mate] who I've raced with since I was 12.

"It's definitely emotional and super special.

"I've been saying since the route was announced, to finish here was unbelievable. To finish here is full circle. To ride past Mynydd [Caerffili] where it all started, there's no better way."

Thomas given guard of honour ahead of final ride

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking specifically about the fans’ support, he added: "It was unreal, the atmosphere riding in and up Caerphilly Mountain.

"It's been insane, and riding through here with all the people just going nuts. It's just mad that people care that much about me doing well, as it is what I do.

"It meant so much, what a way to finish."

Emotional Thomas crosses the line in final race of career

Video credit: TNT Sports

Thomas finished 80th in the overall general classification to bring the curtain down on a career which started in 2010 riding for Team Sky.

This end to Thomas' career is all the more poignant considering it comes 20 years after his first Tour of Britain appearance, riding as a trainee for Team Wiesenhof.

"It's just so surreal," he added in a separate post-race media huddle.

"Like most stages this week, I've kind of forgotten that I have to do a bike race because it's just almost like a celebration before the start, and when you get going, you're like 'Oh jeez, I've actually got that racing to do now'.

‘He’s an inspiration’ – Tributes for British cycling hero Thomas on retirement

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I just want to thank Rod [Ellingworth, Ineos race director] and the organisers really for making this happen because they didn't have to do it. This weekend has been an amazing way to cap it all off."

Thomas will be able to lap up more deserved adulation from a Welsh crowd at Cardiff Castle, where an estimated 4,000 fans will be able to salute one of the finest cyclists this country has produced.

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