Grand Tour larceny

Yellow Jersey winner Thomas’ plea after trophy goes missing

CHAMPION Geraint Thomas on Paris podium GERAINT Thomas is pleading for the return of his Tour de France trophy after it was stolen from a cycling show.

Police are investigating the theft of the Coupe Omnisports – presented to the winner on the Champs-Elysees since the 70s.

It was loaned by 2018 champ Thomas’s Team Sky to sponsors and Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello for display at The Cycle Show in Birmingham.

Organisers discovered it was missing at the end of the threeday event at the NEC last month.

Welshman Thomas, who won the fabled Yellow Jersey in July, said the hand-made trophy’s theft was “incredibly unfortunate”.

He added: “It goes without saying, the trophy is of pretty limited value to whoever took it, but it means a lot to me and the team. What matters most are the amazing memories of an incredible summer and no one can ever take those away from me.

“But a trophy is important and, hopefully, whoever took it will have the good grace to return it.”

Team Sky loaned all three Grand Tour trophies – won by Thomas and Chris Froome at the Vuelta, Giro and Tour de France – to Pinarello.

The Coupe Omnisports was the only one that went missing.

Richard Hemington, MD of Pinarello UK, said: “We are obviously devastated about this.

“We accept full responsibility and have personally apologised to Geraint. Obviously, we hope the trophy can be recovered.”

Thomas, 32, signed a new four-year deal with Team Sky last month. He will receive a replica of the original trophy as a permanent keepsake next year.