Geraint Thomas Final Race: Thousands Expected to Line the Streets in Cardiff

When Geraint Thomas rolls onto the streets of south Wales for the very last time as a professional rider, it will be more than just the conclusion of a race. It will be the closing chapter of one of Britain’s most remarkable cycling stories. On Sunday, the 39-year-old Welshman will retire from the sport at the end of the Tour of Britain, with the final stage bringing him home to Cardiff. Thousands of fans are expected to line the streets to pay tribute to a career that has spanned two decades, two Olympic gold medals, and the crowning glory of the 2018 Tour de France.

Thomas’ Final Race Through Familiar Roads

The final stage of this year’s Tour of Britain is more than symbolic—it is deeply personal. The 122.2km route begins at the velodrome in Newport, fittingly named after Thomas himself, before winding through places that shaped him as both a rider and a person. Riders will pass Maindy Flyers, the cycling club where Thomas first began pedaling as a youngster, and then continue into Cardiff, finishing in his hometown.

For Thomas, the landmarks are not just points on a map; they are memories.

“The last stage goes within 100 metres of my mum and dad’s house, past the pub where I had my first pint,” Thomas shared with a smile. “I’m just lucky the Tour of Britain comes at the end of the season so I can finish my career on home roads. It will be an amazing way to finish.”

An Emotional Build-Up

The penultimate stage of the Tour, from Pontypool to The Tumble, had already set the tone for Thomas’ farewell weekend. Although he sits a distant 86th in the general classification—more than 16 minutes down on leader Romain Gregoire—the result mattered little. What counted were the crowds.

“It was a special day, the crowds were amazing,” he said. “Coming up the climb was mad. It felt like every person on there was cheering for me, which was crazy. I saw a lot of friends and family, and it was a super nice way to finish my penultimate day. One more day, it’s going to be a nice day.”

The warmth of the Welsh supporters has been a constant presence in Thomas’ career, and Sunday promises to be no different.

Special Tribute from Ineos Grenadiers

His team, Ineos Grenadiers, will also mark the occasion with a unique gesture. For Thomas’ final ride, they will wear a special jersey designed by him. The kit will feature the names of people, places, and victories that defined his extraordinary journey, alongside a hand-drawn picture created by his young son.

It’s a fitting tribute to a rider who has always kept his feet firmly on the ground despite scaling the highest peaks of the sport.

Memories of a Homecoming

The final stage in Cardiff is expected to echo memories of Thomas’ triumphant homecoming in 2018, when he returned from France wearing the yellow jersey of Tour de France champion. That summer, an estimated 8,000 fans filled the streets of Cardiff to celebrate his historic win.

“It changed my life,” Thomas recalled of that victory. “It’s a funny one. I kind of felt like at the time I was most confident and felt no pressure, which is kind of the opposite to what you might think. You’re in that yellow jersey, one or two stages, you think as the race goes on you’d be feeling more pressure, but if anything I just felt more relaxed. Mentally I was in such a good place.”

That mindset helped Thomas conquer the biggest race in cycling, cementing his legacy alongside British greats like Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

A Glittering Career Beyond the Tour

Geraint Thomas wears a red top and black shorts and he cycles past crowds of people

While the Tour de France will forever be the crowning jewel, Thomas’ palmarès is wide-ranging. On the track, he won Olympic gold medals in team pursuit at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. He also captured road race gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

As a road rider, Thomas was one of Team Sky’s most trusted lieutenants, helping Froome to multiple Grand Tour victories while gradually emerging as a leader in his own right. Beyond his 2018 Tour triumph, he finished runner-up in 2019 and stood on the podium at the Giro d’Italia in 2023.

“I kind of felt like everything that had happened before was setting me up for that moment in 2018,” he reflected.

Life After Racing

Retirement doesn’t mean leaving the sport behind. Thomas has already hinted at a possible move into team management with Ineos Grenadiers, working alongside long-time ally Sir Dave Brailsford. It would be a natural transition for a rider who has always combined leadership with humility, and whose experience could prove invaluable to the next generation.

Having first joined Team Sky back in 2010, Thomas has been at the heart of British cycling’s golden era. Over the course of more than a decade, he played his part in seven Tour de France victories, not to mention triumphs at the Giro and Vuelta. His voice in the team car could be as influential as his legs ever were on the bike.

A Farewell Worthy of a Champion

When Thomas pedals through the streets of Cardiff for the final time, the result won’t matter. What will matter is the noise, the emotion, and the chance for fans to say thank you to one of cycling’s true gentlemen.

From Maindy Flyers to the Champs-Élysées, from Beijing’s velodrome to Cardiff’s streets, Thomas’ journey has been remarkable. On Sunday, it comes full circle, ending where it began—in Wales, surrounded by family, friends, and the fans who have cheered every step of the way.

Geraint Thomas has always been more than just a rider; he’s been a symbol of resilience, humility, and the joy of sport. His final race won’t just mark the end of a career. It will mark the celebration of a legacy.