Welcome Home G: Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas overcome by Cardiff welcome

Updated 10/08/2018 at 11:43 GMT

Geraint Thomas was greeted by tens of thousands of fans when he returned to the city of his birth, Cardiff, on Thursday.

Britain's Geraint Thomas waves during a celebratory homecoming event in Cardiff, south Wales, on August 9, 2018 following Thomas's victory in the Tour de France cycling race. - Geraint Thomas was labelled the 'Perfect Poster Boy' after the British Team Sk

Image credit: Getty Images

The Team Sky rider, kitted out in his maillot jaune winner's jersey, rode through the streets of Cardiff before speaking to the crowd in a speech that combined humility and humour.

"I’m used to racing in-front of people waving flags and things, but just to walk out here now with this… well, it’s bonkers isn’t it," an emotional Thomas told the Cardiff crowd.

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Thanks a lot for coming – I was a bit worried it might just be my wife and the dog, but the support has been insane, whether it’s at the side of the road, on twitter or just back home. All I can say is ‘thanks’.

"It’s overwhelming, I really appreciate the support – it really means a lot."

And when asked just how tough the 21-stage, three-week event was, the Welshman brought the house down with his reply:

Erm, I thought it would be harder actually, I felt pretty good.

"Obviously it’s tough," Thomas continued. "But the hard part is getting there in that position, from November through to July. The race was just a dream.”

The 32-year-old Team Sky rider was the dominant force in July's Tour de France, beating Tom Dumoulin and Chris Froome to top spot on the podium.

Thomas was born in Cardiff and now resides in Monaco.

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