by Julie Kissick
GERAINT Thomas reacted to the celebrations to mark his Tour de France victory in his own inimitable way, unfurling his yellow jersey and explaining that he wasn’t expecting the reception he got.
“I’m used to racing in front of people and the screaming and waving flags and things but just to walk out here now with this, is, well it’s bonkers,” he told the crowds at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
“Thanks for coming. I was a bit worried it might just be my wife and the dog!
“The support has been insane. It’s just overwhelming and I really appreciate the support, it really does mean a lot.”
Thomas is the first Welshman and only the third Briton to win the gruelling 21-stage race. He did not start as either a favourite or the leader of his own team.
He told the crowd, including many youngsters, to ‘follow your dreams’ and not be afraid to go for what they want.
“Do what you love to do. Anything is possible with hard work. It’s never easy. You’re always going to have hard moments but if you really want to do something, just go for it.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones told the crowd that 32-year-old Thomas’ achievement had had a huge impact on Wales.
“In politics you spend a lot of time trying to sell Wales to the world and Geraint has done more in 21 days than I could’ve done in 21 years.
“From me Geraint, from the whole country, thanks for what you’ve done. Thanks for giving so much inspiration to so many cyclists out there. Thanks for saying to so many young people ‘you can do what I’ve done’.
“And you might be the first winner of the Tour de France in Wales, but I’m pretty sure you won’t be the last.”
[All images by Matthew Lofthouse]
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