This is my final Games: Geraint says his farewells

GERAINT Thomas revealed he was saying farewell to the Commonwealth Games after his bid for glory ended in the final kilometre of the men’s road race.

The Welsh star was one of the pre-race favourites, but ended eighth as New Zealand’s Aaron Gate won to claim his fourth gold at Birmingham 2022.

Gate used his fast sprint finish to edge out South Africa’s Daryl Impey, while Scotland’s Finn Crockett took bronze.

Thomas, the 2014 road race champion in Glasgow, made a late solo attack with less than two kilometres to go.

But he was held at bay by England and Australian riders, and Gate ultimately proved the main beneficiary of that move.

“I’m not coming to another Commonwealth Games, definitely,” said former Tour de France champion Thomas, 36.

“I always knew it wasn’t the course for me.

“It felt kind of weird having a lot of expectation to get a medal.

“I went out there and gave it everything, but Gatesy (Gate) is a track rider and he was able to win today.

“That just shows the nature of the course.

“It was really punchy, really explosive, something which I’m not known for.”

Thomas added to BBC Wales: “I might wear (the Welsh jersey) around Cardiff, but I am not going to make another Commies.

“I gave it all I had. I am proud to wear this jersey for the last time.

“Over the years it’s been incredible but especially today, there were so many Welsh flags out there.

“But not just the Welsh, all the home nations are giving everyone support.

“But I think there were definitely more Welsh flags and I just want to say thanks to everyone that came out.

“I am not the most explosive anyway and after a lap of France, I have definitely got a diesel engine now.

“I was definitely feeling pretty tired.

“It’s easy to look at the Tour and say you finished third in the Tour, you should be winning here because there are not many people in the Tour (competing here).

“But it’s such a different race.” Eluned King, already a bronze medallist on the track, was Wales’ top finisher in eighth in the women’s road race won by Australia’s Georgia Baker.

Olympic champion Elinor Barker completed the race in 41st place, just five months after giving birth.