When Geraint Thomas rides into Paris on Sunday, resplendent in the yellow jersey worn by the leader of the Tour de France, there will be a corner of the United Kingdom where the cheers will be particularly loud.

Barring disaster during what is traditionally a processional route through the French capital, the 32-year-old will step onto the winner’s podium, making him the first Welshman to win what is arguably sport’s toughest endurance event and with it one of the most successful Welsh sportsmen of all time.

Not only that, but he will be only the third Briton to win the Tour, after Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, since the near-three-week-long race began more than a century ago.

That historic achievement will find its most enthusiastic supporters in Cardiff, where Thomas was born and went to school, attending a local comprehensive and cutting his competitive teeth at his nearby cycling club - the Maindy Flyers.

From there he went on to become three times world champion and two time Olympic gold medallist.

To described him as a local boy made good is therefore something of an understatement.

Thomas all but ensured his win in Paris by maintaining an overall lead of 1 min 51 secs over his nearest rival Tom Demoulin after Saturday's hilly 31 kms time trial through the Basque country.