Reaction to Geraint Thomas' 'unbelievable' career following legend's retirement at Tour of Britain - 'No praise high enough'

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TNT Sports experts Matt Stephens and Adam Blythe were full of adulation for Geraint Thomas after he brought his career to an end on Sunday. The Welshman, who won the Tour de France in 2018, raced competitively for the final time as the Tour of Britain concluded in Cardiff. Stephens said the 39-year-old is "so relatable", "a lovely human being and embodies what is beautiful about our sport".

‘He’s an inspiration’ – Tributes for British cycling hero Thomas on retirement

Video credit: TNT Sports

Geraint Thomas "embodies what’s beautiful" about cycling, according to TNT Sports expert Matt Stephens, who said there is "no praise high enough" for the Welshman following his final competitive race.

Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) brought the curtain down on his glittering career on Sunday as he crossed the line on the final stage of the Tour of Britain.

The 39-year-old claimed Tour de France glory in 2018 and won two Olympic gold medals on the track, but Stephens says he is "he’s a lovely human being" and it is one of the reasons why he has been such a popular figure in the sport.

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Reflecting on Thomas’ career in The Breakaway, an emotional Stephens said: "It’s 19 seasons as a pro, he’s remained so grounded.

"I think the reason that he’s so popular and so well-loved - it’s not just the results that he’s garnered over the years, the Olympic success, the Tour de France win - it’s just that he’s one of us, he's an everyman, and he’s so, so relatable.

"He’s a family man as well, he just gets on with his business, he's a team player, he’s somebody that inspires, he’s a leader."

‘What a way to finish’ – Thomas reflects on ‘emotional’ final race of legendary career

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Stephens continued: "I’m looking forward to seeing what the next chapter holds, but I'm kind of welling up, I think we're both quite emotional - all of us - because we all know him pretty well and he's going to be missed in the peloton.

"We don't see him emotional very often, but there's no praise high enough for that man. He's a lovely, lovely human being and embodies what's beautiful about our sport."

It was a particularly poignant conclusion to Thomas’ career, given Sunday’s stage started in Newport at the velodrome named after him.

The stage finished in Cardiff, which was where his homecoming parade took place after winning the Tour de France seven years ago.

Emotional Thomas crosses the line in final race of career

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Welshman looked emotional at the finish line, appearing to shed a tear before hugging his team-mates.

Watching Thomas in the aftermath of the race, TNT Sports’ Adam Blythe said: "He's obviously going to be elated, there will be a lot of emotions going on.

"Just seeing him here, I think the last time we saw him cry was the Giro; before that was when he won the Tour.

"They were big moments in his career, and this is one of them as well, closing a chapter in his life now and getting to do it with his team-mates."

Blythe added: "[Geraint’s] career has just been one of the best, and his pathway through the sport as well has been absolutely unbelievable.

"From where he started, riding the Tour de France, focusing on the Classics. And then eventually winning the Tour de France, Olympic medals along with that.

"He's just an inspiration and a great role model for anyone getting involved with sport, he's an amazing man."

Watch and stream the remainder of the cycling season, including La Vuelta, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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