THOMAS’ STAR RISES

THE Welsh Government want to give Geraint Thomas a proper Cardiff homecoming after his stunning Tour de France win. Officials contacted representatives of the Team Sky cyclist yesterday with a desire to arrange a hero’s welcome. Sir Bradley Wiggins paid tribute to his former team-mate, who ended his celebrations on Sunday by sharing Welshcakes in bed with wife Sara (above). ‘I felt really emotional watching him cross the finish line in the time trial, punching the air,’ Wiggins told Eurosport. ‘We’ve watched him grow up, and now he’s the winner of the Tour. It’s phenomenal. He’s living his boyhood dream.’ Thomas, 32, is expected to sign a new deal with Team Sky shortly that should put him on a par with Chris Froome on around £4million a year. Wiggins said Thomas must now embrace the transition to a major sports star. ‘He’ll feel the same inside, but people’s perception of him will change,’ he said. ‘Buying a pint of milk will be different for him now. He was well known in cycling, but now the wider public will know him. He won’t be able to walk down the street in Wales without people coming up to him.’