British Cycling celebrates Geraint ‘G’ Thomas OBE, who has today announced his intention to retire from professional cycling at the end of this year, after what will be his 19th year as a member of the WorldTour and Great Britain Cycling Team.

Performance Director, Stephen Park CBE said: “On behalf of British Cycling, I would like to congratulate Geraint on a stellar career, one that has shown what is possible within such a gruelling and captivating sport for those who have the grit and determination to succeed at the highest level. 

“His 2018 Tour de France win will go down in history as the first time a Welshman has achieved the prestigious and hard-fought accolade. We will all be cheering him on over the coming months as he competes in his final season and look forward to bidding him farewell as he makes Septembers’ Tour of Britain his final race.

“Representing the Great Britain Cycling Team, we have seen him win rainbow jerseys on the track as a young rider, as well as two Olympic gold medals, and being part of teams who have broken multiple world records. He has also represented his home nation of Wales to the highest level, bringing home four Commonwealth Games medals as a result.

“What stands out about Geraint as a sportsperson is his passion for the sport and how he holds himself as a fantastic role model to the next generation of pro cyclists. His pride in the jersey and unwavering commitment to being the best version of himself are qualities we want to instil in every member of our team.

“G has been a key figurehead in every team he’s been a part of over the years and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. We wish him the very best of luck in his final season in the peloton and in whatever the future holds.”

Thomas was introduced to the sport at the age of 10, becoming part of the legendary Maindy Flyers club in his home city of Cardiff, which also boasts alumni such as Olympians Elinor Barker and Ella Maclean-Howell. Showing potential from the off, Thomas quickly achieved national track success followed by his first world title in the scratch race at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Los Angeles, USA.

Joining British Cycling’s Olympic Academy in 2005, Thomas’s natural talent developed considerably, taking wins on the road and being awarded the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year Carwyn James Junior Award, before making his Tour de France debut as part of Continental cycling team, Barloworld in 2007.

Thomas’ breakthrough year came in 2008 when he was part of the British quartet including Ed Clancy, Paul Manning and Bradley Wiggins who won the team pursuit gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, breaking the world record twice in the process.

Thomas retained his Olympic team pursuit title at the London 2012 Olympic Games, alongside Steven Burke, Ed Clancy and Peter Kennaugh, setting two more world records. He has since competed in two further Olympic Games for Great Britain.

Alongside two Olympic gold medals, in 20 years representing the Great Britain Cycling Team, Thomas has amassed multiple accolades, including four elite world titles and one European title. He has also been a key part of squads that have supported the delivery of British victories, including supporting teammate Mark Cavendish to his road race world title in 2011.

Ever the pride of Wales, Thomas has competed for Team Wales at three Commonwealth Games, taking bronze in the men’s points race in 2006, and another in the road time-trial in 2022. His most successful Commonwealth Games was Glasgow 2014, where he secured bronze in the road time-trial before winning gold in the road race.

What Thomas has achieved in his road career is nothing short of exceptional, with race wins including Paris-Nice in 2016, Critérium du Dauphiné in 2018, Tour de Romandie in 2021 and an incredibly close second-place finish in the 2023 Giro d’Italia. However, Thomas’ career-defining moment was his impeccable Tour de France win in 2018 which saw him become the third British and only Welsh cyclist to win the Tour de France.

In September 2018, the Wales National Velodrome in Newport was officially renamed the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome before he was named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year for the second time. His incredible Tour de France win also saw him win the overall BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 News Year Honours for services to cycling.