Thomas wins Tour de France in another British triumph

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Britain's Geraint Thomas admitted to "suffering day-to-day" in winning the Tour de France on Sunday.

"It's still not sinking in, it's incredible," said Thomas, looking gaunt and tired after three weeks of the 105th edition.

The Team Sky rider finished the race in Paris with a near two-minute lead on Dutch rival Tom Dumoulin of Team Sunweb to secure his first yellow jersey, with teammate and four-time and defending champion Chris Froome finishing third at 2:24.

The 32-year-old Welshman, the third Briton to win the race after Froome and Bradley Wiggins, secured Team Sky's sixth victory in the race from the past seven editions.

"Big respect to Froomey," he said. "It could have been awkward, there could have been tension... he's a great champion and I've always had respect for you.

Riders compete on the Champs-Elysees Avenue before the end of the Tour de France in Paris. /VCG Photo

"The dream was always to participate, and that dream came true 11 years ago. Now, up here, being in the yellow jersey in front of all of you (the crowd) is just wow. I started cycling because of this race. I remember running home from school to watch it.

Thomas also paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife Sara, who was emotional as she stood on the sidelines.

"Big thanks to Sara. She's been with me through thick and thin."

Thomas, who won back-to-back stages in the Alps before sealing victory with a third-place finish in the penultimate stage time trial on Saturday, took a 1min 51sec lead over Dumoulin into the final stage from Houilles to the French capital.

The 21st and final stage was won by Norway's Alexander Kristoff.

It is usually a festive affair, and Thomas was seen celebrating with fellow Sky teammates early in the stage as he soaked up becoming the first Welsh yellow jersey winner.

It took several laps of the inner-city circuit around the Champs Elysees for the race to kick into action.

And after a six-man breakaway was reeled in late on, the sprinters' teams upped the pace to chase down a last-ditch attempt by Belgian champion Yves Lampaert, of Quick Step.

Riders pass through the Arc De Triomphe during the 105th Tour de France Stage 21, a 116 km stage from Houilles to Paris Champs-Elysees. /VCG Photo

Lampaert was caught with only 220 meters remaining, and from there UAE team sprinter Kristoff came off the wheel in front of him to surge to the line and hold off Germany's John Degenkolb and Frenchman Arnaud Demare.

"It's a dream come true," said Kristoff. "I've dreamt about this victory for many years."

Thomas rolled over the line seconds later, smiling and joking with teammate, training partner and close friend Froome.

Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe had already secured the polka dot jersey for the King of the Mountains competition, a prize which came with two impressive stage wins, in the Alps then the Pyrenees.

"We're on the most beautiful avenue in the world, I've got this jersey and two stage wins," said Alaphilippe.

"The race is over, but it's not sinking in."

Source(s): AFP