& # 39; Super guy & # 39; Thomas takes over

HISTORY. Geraint Thomas is set to become the first Welshman to lead the everlasting multi-stage cycling event. Photo by Philippe Lopez / AFP

ESPELETTE, France – As the Tour de France's honorary champion, Geraint Thomas may have celebrated his imminent triumph with a "burger" and "a few beers" before the traditional victory parade. Paris, the 29th of July.

But the fact that Welshman, 32, a former Olympic track cycling champion and appreciated throughout the pack, will not be fully accepted by his "crazy" testifies to an affable and unpretentious nature. "It's amazing to be sitting here with this jersey, it's crazy," said Thomas on Saturday after a third-place finish in the penultimate time trial, won by his Dutch rival Tom Dumoulin virtually won his first victory on the race

"It's just a whirlwind, it'll take a long time to sink."

For fans of Thomas Wales, the feat is equally monumental.

He is the latest product from Whitchurch High School in Cardiff – alongside Sam Warburton, former Welsh captain and rugby lions, and Gareth Bale, Real Madrid's football star – to find an international sports success. Thomas

With a 1 minute 51 seconds advantage over Dumoulin, and his teammate Chris Froome should finish on the third step of the podium, Thomas will be the first Welsh winner of the Tour, and the man who made 6 wins in the previous 7 editions for a creepy Team Sky.

"At the sound of that, it became a bit crazy at home," added Thomas, who broke down. tears during moving scenes on arrival where he was surprised by his wife Sara.

"I did not know that my wife was there either, which made it even worse the last time I cried." 19659006] "There is an additional emotion," Is because Thomas' victory was long

One of the main assistants of many previous victories of the Froome 6 Tour, there was a general feeling about this race – supported by a superb win in the stage race of the Criterium du Dauphine and fears that the efforts of Froome Giro d'Italia say that it is perhaps the time of return on investment

But even outside the motorcycle, & # 39; G – as Thomas is fondly nicknamed – has earned respect in the ruthless world of professional cycling.

"I went to his wedding, so I think we're friends!" South African champion Daryl Impey told AFP

former teammate Thomas and Froome at Barloworld, while the Ga It was "maybe 10 kilograms heavier". "It's a great guy, even at the time we were together at Barloworld, he was always ready to bury himself for his teammates," added Impey

"Now he has had the opportunity, and he is sure he rolls in Paris with the yellow jersey on his back, I will be delighted. "

A talented road racer as a youngster who is part of the British Track Pursuit Team who won the Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012. The Team Sky leader, Dave Brailsford, has saw Thomas being dumped every day on his first Tour, while he was the youngest to start in 2007, to conquer the race 11 years later .Most of the Tour in 2007 behind the pack, dropped, "said Br Ailsford. "But despite the fight, he still finished it."

"Now he is reimbursed for all the years of hard work and sacrifice that he has done for the team."

For Froome, the victory could not

"Not only was I a G teammate, but also a friend," said Froome

"It was an important part of my victories on the Tour .If he had to get on the podium, he was going to be on the highest step. "

Thomas is also known for his love of rugby and the drinks that accompany the victories of his Wales. [19659006Maisilajouta:"CesoirjenecelebreraipastropBecausetheFields-Elyseeswereoutwith

" I think we will have beers and burgers tonight, but that's all. " – Rappler.com