Geraint Thomas Set To Win Tour De France 2018 After Retaining Yellow Jersey

Thomas will ride into Paris on Sunday with a 1.51 second lead.
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Geraint Thomas looks set to win the Tour de France on Sunday after holding onto his yellow jersey in the stage 20 time trial, making him the third Briton to win the title.

Tom Dumoulin won Saturday’s 31-kilometer race from Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle to Espelette, beating four-time tour winner, Chris Froome by one second and Thomas by 14 seconds.

With a lead of one minute, 51 seconds over Dumoulin, Team Sky’s Thomas can cruise through the final stage into Paris to claim the crown.

Geraint Thomas is set to win the Tour de France on Sunday after retaining the yellow jersey on stage 20 on Saturday
Geraint Thomas is set to win the Tour de France on Sunday after retaining the yellow jersey on stage 20 on Saturday
Benoit Tessier / Reuters

Thomas, 32, will become the third British winner of the race, joining Sir Bradley Wiggins and Froome, and it will mean the trio have won six of the last seven editions, all in Team Sky colours.

Wow! Geraint Thomas, incredible 3 weeks, Huge congratulations to him and Team Sky!

— Brad Wiggins (@SirWiggo) July 28, 2018

So close! 1 second too many getting to the finish today but super proud to be back on the podium with G ahead of the final run in to Paris 👍😊 #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/6b0fZ9LZZr

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 28, 2018

2012 Olympic training camp in Newport, nervously watching Bradley about to seal Britain’s first ever Tour de France victory. Little did we know someone in that group would be winning that race 6 years later.. @GeraintThomas86 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/cShOJoSWnl

— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) July 28, 2018

If you’re lucky enough to call him a friend, there’s someone there that’ll always have your back. Not one person that knows @GeraintThomas86 doesn’t know how much he deserves this. His loyalty & work ethic is something to aspire to in life, not just cycling. So proud of you mate. pic.twitter.com/VuWf1wwipa

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 28, 2018

“I can’t believe it,” an emotional Thomas said afterward.

“I’m welling up. I don’t know what to say. It is just overwhelming. I didn’t think about it all race and suddenly I won the Tour.”

He burst into tears after an embrace with Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford.

It's starting to sink in. Geraint Thomas embraces Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford. Not a dry eye left in the house! 😂 #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/NSzi5GSPjG

— Team Sky (@TeamSky) July 28, 2018

💛💛💛#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/1jPnbLory4

— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 28, 2018

🎉 Geraint Thomas set for a historic Tour de France victory ahead of tomorrow's processional stage#TDF2018#bbccycling pic.twitter.com/wgV8JFxdOH

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 28, 2018

“The last time I cried was when I got married - I don’t know what has happened to me,” Thomas said.

Froome, Thomas’ teammate on Team Sky, sits in third place, two minutes and 24 seconds behind, having managed to jump stage 19 winner Primoz Roglic in the standings after Saturday’s time trial.

While he’s set to stand on the podium with Thomas, Froome has missed out on a record-equalling fifth Tour title.

Dumoulin said after Saturday’s race: “I was so nervous. I had no idea of splits and thought Chris Froome was a second quicker than me. I had such a hard time yesterday and all the frustration came out after the finish. I cannot believe this. It’s amazing.”

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