Tour de France: Thomas set to win race after stage 20 time-trial – as it happened
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Geraint Thomas will be crowned winner of the 2018 Tour de France in Paris on Sunday after holding off the challenge of Tom Dumoulin in the time trial and penultimate stage of the race
Sean Ingle and Jeremy Whittle.
Been a pleasure and will leave you with one more shot of ‘Super ruddy duper’ Geraint Thomas. Nos da.
Geraint Thomas at the end of stage 20.
Geraint Thomas at the end of stage 20. Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA
And some words from Dan via the Press Association
“I’m not sure why I won it when I didn’t pick it up on a single day, but I just try my best every day,” he said.
On the crash he suffered during stage 8…
“I didn’t let on how much that crash really affected me,” he said. “Maybe we’ll release in the coming days some images of how much that affected me. It looks like I’ve been shot. I’ve got a hole in my back.”
Congratulating Thomas…
“We’ve basically been sparring partners,” he said. “We go way back, we’ve always been in contact. It’s great to see him up there. He’s one of the nice guys.”
Just a cursory observation and, in no way to downplay the achievements of Wiggins and Froome, but the general love for Thomas’ victory seems a bit more heartfelt and universal. Guess his character comes into the that but also maybe because he was a surprise winner in a race that has erred towards the predictable in recent years. Long may that aspect of it continue.
Wow! Geraint Thomas, incredible 3 weeks, Huge congratulations to him and Team Sky!
Reaction from the Team Sky camp
Chris Froome: “I’ve had a difficult year. I didn’t think it was possible to get on the podium so I’ve very happy about that.”
Dave Brailsford: “To have a little bit of support in helping people achieve their dreams is why we do it really. It’s a very powerful and very rewarding thing to be involved in. Chris has achieved many, many of his dreams and to see Geraint achieve his on this time, this particular race, is quite moving.”
Here’s Nigel Owens whose status as everybody’s favourite Welshman is now seriously under threat
Llongyfarchiadau mawr i Geraint Thomas am ennill y ras Tour De France. Well done Geraint Thomas, all of Wales is hugely proud of you on this magnificent win. https://t.co/WmUjWibuSM
Here’s that interview. Seems to be quite a bit of dust in the air today…
“The last time I cried was when I got married!”
Geraint Thomas fights back the tears after a stunning Tour de France campaign! #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/XMLjZpdbho
How does @GeraintThomas86 celebrate winning the Tour de France? With a six pack of Welsh Cakes 🙌🏴 pic.twitter.com/XcgFMWtZZt
Absolutely awesome @GeraintThomas86! Thoroughly deserved, and couldn’t happen to a nicer guy #Legend 🥇 🚴♂️ https://t.co/UnCMdH8rf6
White jersey top five (young rider classification)
1. Pierre Latour (FRA) AG2R La Mondiale 80:52:50
2. Egan Bernal (COL) Team Sky +5:39
3. Guillaume Martin (FRA) Wanty-Groupe Gobert +22:05
4. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ +1:07:18
5. Daniel Martínez (COL) Team EF Education First – +1:16:01
France’s Pierre-Roger Latour on the podium as the Tour’s best young rider.
France’s Pierre-Roger Latour on the podium as the Tour’s best young rider. Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images
Green jersey top five
1. Peter Sagan (SVK) BORA-hansgrohe 467
2. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) UAE Team Emirates 196
3. Arnaud Démare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 183
4. John Degenkolb (GER) Trek-Segafredo 148
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Quick-Step Floors 143
Slovakia’s Peter Sagan in the best sprinter’s green jersey.
Slovakia’s Peter Sagan in the best sprinter’s green jersey. Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images
King of the Mountains top five
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Quick-Step Floors 170pts
2. Warren Barguil (FRA) Team Fortuneo – Samsic 91
3. Rafal Majka (POL) BORA-hansgrohe 76
4. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky 74
5. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Team Sunweb 63
France’s Julian Alaphilippe in the polka dot jersey.
France’s Julian Alaphilippe in the polka dot jersey. Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images
And this from Michael Cosgrove
It was good to see the majority of the spectators banging the ad hoardings for Froome during his arrival. The pipe of peace after the emotions of the battle? Let’s hope so…
Well done to G on sustained superhuman effort and all the teams.
Brilliant TT finish, bit of a nail biter.
Once again, La Belle France laid out in all its glory for all to Enjoy!
Here is that GC top 10
1. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky 80:30:37
2. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Team Sunweb +1:51
3. Chris Froome (GBR) Team Sky +2:24
4. Primoz Roglic (SLO) Team LottoNL-Jumbo +3:22
5. Steven Kruijswijk (NED) Team LottoNL-Jumbo +6:08
6. Romain Bardet (FRA) AG2R La Mondiale +6:57
7. Mikel Landa (ESP) Movistar Team +7:37
8. Daniel Martin (IRL) UAE Team Emirates +9:05
9. Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) Team Katusha – Alpecin +12:37
10. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar Team +14:18
Geraint Thomas is sobbing and unable to speak. I’ve done my best with this.
He said: “I can’t believe it… welling up, man. I don’t know what to say. It’s just overwhelming.
“I didnt think about it all race and now suddenly I won the Tour, man!
“I felt really good and heard I was up and maybe pushing a bit hard on the corners. I was told to relax and take it easy and just make sure I won the Tour.
“It’s just… I can’t speak… it’s just incredible. I believed I could beat the guys here but to do on the biggest stage of all over three weeks, it’s insane.
“Last time I cried was when I got married and I don’t know what’s happened to me.”
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