Geraint Thomas became the first Welshman to win the prestigious Paris-Nice race as he pulled off the biggest road win of his career.
The Cardiff-born ace was made to fight right to the line on the Promenade des Anglais as rival Alberto Contador attacked.
But Thomas’ Dai hard spirit saw him see off the Spaniard to win the eight-day race by just four seconds.
The 29-year-old from Team Sky said: “When Alberto went half-way up the Col d’Eze my legs just gave way.
“It was horrible and I thought it was all over it and I was going to struggle to get on the podium.
“I had to chase him and it was full gas and to finally catch back in the last few kilometres was really good.
“It’s incredible. It’s hard to believe, to be honest. Contador, man, he is one of the best stage racers ever.
“I came here wanting to win and do the best I could, but to actually do it, it’s the biggest win, for sure, of my whole career. I’m over the moon.
“This confirms I can be up there with the best stage racers in the world and I’ll definitely celebrate tonight.
“You don’t win very often, so when you do, you have to enjoy it.”
Thomas’ 15-secs overnight lead was wiped out as Contador attacked on the final climb of the eight-day race.
There even seemed a danger that he might even lose a spot on the podium.
But with team-mate Sergio Henao leading him to the summit, he flew down the mountain roads to cross the line just five secs adrift of his challenger.
Contador picked up six bonus secs by finishing second to Belgium’s Tim Wellens in the sprint but it was not enough to deny Thomas whose ex-Sky team-mate Richie Porte was third.
Thomas added: “I knew I had to keep fighting and I never gave up.
“That descent was like a load of back-to-back team pursuits, and as the gap gradually came down I knew I had a chance.
“I went full gas all the way to the line and ended up taking the win.
“I can’t thank my team-mates enough. They’ve been 100per cent committed to me all week so to finish the job off for them is an amazing feeling.
|I’m in dreamland at the moment and it’ll take a while to sink in. I used to run home from school to watch Paris-Nice, so to win it is just crazy.”
Thomas joins Tom Simpson and Bradley Wiggins in the list of British winners.
He will be back in the role of support rider for Chris Froome in July’s Tour de France.
“But showed if the defending champ has problems then he could challenge for the most coveted Yellow Jersey in cycling
He added: ”Next up I’ve got Milan-San Remo, the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour of Flanders before a training camping in Tenerife.
“I’ll then ride Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Tour de Romandie. It’s a big block and to win this is a great way to start it and take the pressure off a bit.”