Hostile atmosphere didn’t deflect us on road to victory: Geraint

FROM BACK PAGE Thomas stormed to memorable back-to-back stage victories in the Alps during the middle week, building a lead which only grew until Saturday’s stage 20 time trial, and pinpointed the victory on stage 11 as the crucial day of the Tour.

“The real defining moment was when he [Froome] had his bad day. But at the same time I was always allowed my freedom. It wasn’t like I had to work for him as a domestique. Obviously the guys were riding for Froomey and I just stayed with them.

“I was the back-up leader and if I was good, I was good and I would stay in front.

“It was clear that I wouldn’t have to sit up if I was feeling good and Froomey bad. Then as the race went on it worked itself out anyway.”

Thomas’s strategy was a combination of defiance and opportunism, holding off attacks when they came and pouncing on every chance to collect bonus sec-onds.

“The two and the one in the first week were there, so why not take them? When it came to the last mountain-top finish in the Pyrenees, when Froomey was dropped, it was just about stamping my authority on it, and even [on stage 19] in the sprint for second. I kept picking up time when I could.”

As well as his rivals on the road, Thomas also had to overcome an atmosphere which could at times be hostile on the roadside, and he was almost knocked off his bike as he crested the Col du Portet at the finish of stage 17 by an interfering spectator.

“When they affect the race it’s annoying but with the booing and stuff, most of the time you’re just focussed on what you’re doing.

“Sometimes on the sprint days where there’s a little bit less stress you notice it more. It’s unfortunate but it’s a part of it.

“I took a lot of inspiration from Froomey and the way he deals with it all. Fair play — he’s one of the strongest guys I know, mentally.”

Thomas flew the Welsh flag on his ride to Paris, holding with his long-time friend and Team Sky road captain Luke Rowe, and he reflected on their ex-traordinary journey from Cardiff to the Champs-Elysées.

“It’s just incredible how that generation have done what we’ve done. I grew up with Luke in Maindy stadium when I was 12 and he was eight, racing round there as kids. And now we’re here and he’s helping me win the Tour. It’s insane.”

SKY team boss Dave Brailsford praised both winner Thomas and his team-mate Froome, who finished third, for the way the pair handled their relationship during the race.

Froome began the Tour as Team Sky’s leader but lost time on the opening stage, and it became clear that Thomas was in better form than the four-time champion when he won back-toback stages in the Alps.

“When you get to 30 you have been through all the experiences. They both wanted to win. They were both in good form. So you sat down and talk to both at the same time. I said, you are both going to hear the same thing from me. And they figured it out themselves to be honest. It was quite something.

“These guys are at the top of the game, they are mature riders. We were under such scrutiny that if there was any pres-sure we could have cracked.

“But the defining moment for me was when Chris was entitled to drop his shoulders but he just went straight to the front and helped Geraint. And he bounced back with a fantastic performance… and then talked about winning it next year.” History boy: Geraint Thomas is first Welsh winner of Tour