Cardiff, Wales - 9th August 2018.
1. 00:00 Geraint Thomas makes his way to speak to the waiting media
2. 00:09 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on the reception from the thousands gathered in Cardiff for his homecoming)
"Mind blowing. I really didn't expect this. I didn't know what to expect, but the reception was just insane. And just to see the pride in people's eyes as you're riding past and the passion. People I've never met. It's just mind blowing, you know. I kind of expected from a family and my wife, obviously, and my mates. But for people I've never met, and you know the little kids and things. And (people) wanting to ride their bikes. It's just it's humbling."
3. 00:41 Thomas talks to the media
4. 00:52 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on whether he could have ever expected to win the Tour de France)
"No, no not at all. It was just a dream to just be part of that race and to be racing in the biggest races in the world. And obviously when your riding in the lanes and round Lisvane (Welsh town), and things, you're like 'I'm going up Alpe d'Huez here' and things like this. To actually then do it, and win up Alpe d'Huez. And then win the tour, I still just laugh when I think about it. I knew I could beat anyone on my day, but to do it for three weeks and consistently, and the way I did it as well, I think that is the crazy bit."
5. 01:29 Thomas talks to the media
6. 01:37 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on getting into cycling and being the first Welshman to win the Tour de France)
"Yeah, that's just as bonkers really and you know I grew up just two miles down the road and only got into cycling because there's a cycle track there. And a kids club started up and went along, enjoyed it and you know here we are today. It's crazy when you think about it."
7. 01:57 Cardiff Castle
8. 02:11 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on whether his win will get more people into the sport following doping scandals)
"Yeah, I think so and it's changed the narrative as well. You know it's nice to finally have some good news and not be talking about all that sort of stuff all the time. And yeah like I say, I just really want to enjoy this moment."
9. 02:30 Thomas talks to the media
10. 02:41 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on whether he is happy staying at Team Sky)
"Yeah obviously, there's some teams interested but I'm happy here. And it seems to be working at the moment. Yeah, I know they had a meeting today and I know we're pretty close, so hopefully I'll all be sorted in the next few days."
11. 02:56 Thomas talks to the media
12. 03:03 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on why he wants to stay at Team Sky, if he wants to be lead rider within team)
"Yeah, obviously that's a big role. But obviously the support you get as well. Not just the riders around you but the staff. And everything, you know. So yeah, it's a big decision but yeah. It's big but it's also kind of easy as well in a way."
13. 03:21 Cardiff Castle
14. 03:32 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France champion:
(on the hostile welcome from French supporters during the Tour de France)
"I don't know, you'd have to ask the French that. But yeah, for us I think it just motivated us more, it brought us all together and gave us that common enemy in a way. You know, lets prove them wrong and let's annoy them even more. We thrived off that in a way. Obviously when it starts to affect the race it's not good. Verbals and stuff is fine, but when they start trying to grab riders and like pushing Froomey (Chris Froome) or whatever, then that's too much. But you know I think that's what makes cycling so good,is that accessibility. And you can go to the start and you can see your favourite riders and you can touch them and you can get your autographs. And you know, it's totally different to football or rugby, you know, where they're on the bus and then they just walk into the stadium. With cycling it's completely different and that's what makes it so special."
15. 04:20 Thomas on the stage holding a Wales flag
SOURCE: SNTV
DURATION: 04:31
