YEAR WHEELS
– Brits had no history of winning it, so it feels a bit crazy to be part of the race’s history now. This year was the ninth time I’ve ridden the Tour, I guess it was about time I had something to show for it.”
For Thomas, Team Sky’s rakish celebrations in a Parisian bar – with pizzas, burgers and chips – were reward for months of abstinence where his diet was calculated virtually to the nearest grain of rice.
And glory on the Champs Elysees was his reward for monastic restraint in the face of spiteful behaviour on the roads, where spectators spat at, punched or grabbed Froome and Thomas.
Others tossed liquids of dubious origin – and even lobbed a smoke bomb into the peloton for their attention.
It was powerful motivation.
He said: “All the stuff thrown at us just brought us together closer as a team.
“I don’t like to use the word ‘ enemy’, but, in the eyes of some people by the road, that’s what we represent.
“But it just fired us up. It’s not nice and you don’t want to be cast as villains every day of a three-week race.
“But I would rather be booed on the podium than be a popular alsoran on the back of the bus with nothing.”
Popularity won’t be a problem for the Geraint Thomas Trust.
He has set it up in conjunction with Welsh Cycling as a legacy of his triumph to help a whole new generation gain access to the sport he loves.
Champion
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” he said.
“Now I’m a Tour de France champion, hopefully I have the profile to really make a success of it.
“I’m a big fan of anything that gets kids to ride a bike, promotes a healthier lifestyle and gives them something to enjoy.”
Thinking about what could lie ahead in 2019, he added: “I’d love to defend the Yellow Jersey.
“I think it would be a shame not to go back to the Tour and give it my best shot because nobody has won it for the first time and defended it successfully the following year since Indurain.
“Obviously, Froomey really wants to win a record- equalling fifth title.
“But, if we’re open and honest with each other again – and don’t ride against each other – it could still work.
“But I wouldn’t feel under pressure.
“I’ve reached the pinnacle once. To climb the mountain again would be amazing.”
I’d love to defend the Yellow Jersey
... it would be a shame not to go back and give it my best shot