Geraint Thomas won his maiden Tour de France title on Sunday.
The Team Sky rider beat off competition from Chris Froome and Dutchman Tom Dumoulin to take the famous yellow jersey at a packed Champs Elysees.
And Thomas was quick to praise team-mate Froome for his selflessness over the past few weeks.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “Just to be sat here with this jersey is just insane.
“A big thanks as well to Froomey as well because he committed to me and was really happy to see me do so well. We’re good friends and I really appreciate having probably the best stage rider ever riding for me.
“It’s so surreal. It’ll take a while to sink in, I think.”
Given the pair’s close relationship, it was no surprise, then, that Froome was one of the first to take to Twitter to congratulate the Welshman on his triumph.
Thank you for the amazing support over the last 3 weeks!
It has been full of ups and downs but I couldn’t have asked to spend it with a better team of people.
And to @GeraintThomas86 there is no one more deserving. Congrats champ
󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/ayxlFvmg5z
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 29, 2018
Fellow sporting stars Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton went to the same Cardiff school as Thomas, and they too sent congratulatory messages on social media.
Incredible achievement from a fellow Whitchurch High pupil! @GeraintThomas86 What a win! #TDF2018
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) July 29, 2018
Absolutely awesome @GeraintThomas86! Thoroughly deserved, and couldn’t happen to a nicer guy #Legend
https://t.co/UnCMdH8rf6
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) July 28, 2018
Steve Williams, the PE teacher at Whitchurch High School, Cardiff who taught Geraint Thomas, Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale…. for all 3 to be world class in their sports, Mr Williams must have something very VERY special about him …. ♥️ https://t.co/jZL7ZGKYWY
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) July 29, 2018
A number of high-profile cyclists past and present also posted to celebrate the 32-year-old’s win.
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
Just bumped onto some guy on the bus. Says he’s a cyclist apparently.. pic.twitter.com/umk3Tn9wlT
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) July 29, 2018
While the likes of UK Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Premier League club Arsenal, who Thomas supports, were among the other big names to express their goodwill.
Congratulations to @GeraintThomas86 on his success in the #TourDeFrance. A huge achievement that everyone in the UK can be proud of.
@TeamSky
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) July 29, 2018
Massive congratulations to @GeraintThomas86 for winning the #TourdeFrance. The first Welshman to win it and Britain’s third. A fantastic achievement.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 29, 2018
pic.twitter.com/R5eUJQOEbY
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 29, 2018