Geraint Thomas voted Sports Personality of the Year

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Geraint Thomas was crowned BBC's UK Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday after his maiden Grand Tour triumph in the Tour de France.

Welshman Thomas beat out Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane into second and third respectively.

"It is insane that I am stood here," said Thomas after collecting the prestigious prize in Birmingham.

"Seeing kids on their bikes back home, you take great pride in winning this.

"It's been an amazing year for British sport and long may it continue."

There was some success for England's World Cup team as Gareth Southgate picked up the Coach of the Year award.

Gareth Southgate (L) with his award for Coach of the Year along with World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane (R) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018 on December 16. /VCG Photo.

"I'm incredibly proud of the team," said Southgate.

"There was a disconnection with the fans for a long period and that was understandable.

"Huge credit to the players, they played with great pride, great style and I think people really appreciated how they conducted themselves and represented their country."

Francesco Molinari, a 36-year-old Italian golfer who won the British Open and claimed five points as part of the winning European Ryder Cup team, was named "world sports star".

England's footballers lost out to England's netballers, though, for the team of the year prize courtesy of their Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award.

Source(s): AFP