ESPELETTE, France (AP Geraint Thomas travels to Paris in the yellow jersey.

The Welsh with Team Sky sealed his first Tour de France title by protecting his lead in the penultimate time trial. 19659008] Thomas takes a 1 minute 51 seconds advantage over Tom Dumoulin in the largely ceremonial finish on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday.

"It's just overwhelming," said Thomas. "I I did not think about the race and now I won the Tour. "

Dumoulin won the 20th stage one second ahead of quadruple champion Froome, who beat Primoz Roglic to the third place in the overall ranking. [19659008Thomasaterminthreeweekly14thsecondSecondStepMaiscwasmoreenvailablewithunavaMorethantwominutesbeforethestartoftheday

"The strongest won this Tour de France," said Froome. "Tomorrow, getting on the podium with G, it's going to be a very proud moment for me."

Thomas, known as "G", was a supportive runner during the Froome races but he became the undisputed leader of Sky. Froome cracked in the grueling 17th stage across the Pyrenees.

Thomas and Froome have been together since their debut in the small Barloworld team a decade ago

"Because we have been teammates and friends for so long, it's easier to communicate honestly," said Froome . "It was clear as soon as we touched the Alps that Geraint was in better physical shape than me, it was rather simple."

Dressed in a yellow skin suit on a bike in red, white and blue colors Thomas was the last runner to start

In a few raindrops, Thomas quickly regained control when his wheel seemed to lock in a tough and tight corner. Still, he was first at both checkpoints before slowing down in the last few kilometers

"I felt strong, I felt really good, in fact, I heard that I had risen and can -being I pushed a little on those corners. "said Thomas. "Nico (Portal, Director of Sky Sports) told me to relax, calm down and make sure to win the Tour, and that's what I did . "

Upon arrival, Thomas shouted and held his arms out in celebration. He kissed his wife, Sara Elen, as soon as he got off his bike.

"The last time I cried was when I got married," says Thomas in ripping.

Thomas is about to become the third Briton and first Welsh to win the Tour after Bradley Wiggins and Froome. He will make Sky's sixth victory in the last seven years.

"It's really crazy – all the interest for Cardiff," Thomas said. "It's great to put it on the map, we're a small nation and we're really behind everyone who's successful. With the sound, he's gone crazy at home, so I'm looking forward to return to celebrate. "

A versatile runner who began his career on the track, Thomas helped Britain to the gold medal in team pursuit at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics before turning his full attention to the race on the road.

Thomas won the yellow jersey Les Alpes, followed by another victory at the top of Alpe d'Huez a day later, and defended his advantage across the Pyrenees.

"He was in the shape of his life," said Dumoulin. "He has not made any mistakes, he has never been in trouble by anyone, in the mountains or anywhere else – including by myself."

The world champion against the clock, Dumoulin, clocked 41 minutes. It marked the first time in 12 years that the Tour crossed the Basque Country, and fans waving the red, green and white flags of the region lined the entire road in front of the traditional half of the region.

Dumoulin earned his second career Tour victory after winning a time trial in 2016. The Dutchman won six TTs overall in all three Grand Tours – the Tour, the Giro d 'Italia and the Spanish. Vuelta

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Associate press writers Ciaran Fahey and Samuel Petrequin contributed.

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More coverage of the Tour de France: https://apnews.com/tag/TourdeFrance

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Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf

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