Thousands are expected to line the streets of Cardiff on Thursday to welcome home Wales’ cycling superstar and Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas.
The Cardiff-born cyclist will be given a hero’s welcome at an event staged along St Mary Street and outside Cardiff Castle from 5pm until 5.30pm on August 9th.
Gethin Jones will compère today’s homecoming event, and Gethin is inviting you to share your burning questions that you’d like him to ask Geraint. Just tweet your questions with #AskG or #HoligG (Cymraeg).
We’re really pleased that @GethincJones will compère Thursday’s celebration event for @GeraintThomas86 at Cardiff Castle. Gethin wants your questions for Geraint, so tweet them to him using the hashtag #AskG @WelshCycling #TDF2018 https://t.co/BI266BQmWs pic.twitter.com/Or8j8NVNG8
— Welsh Government (@WelshGovernment) August 7, 2018
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The Tour de France winner and Olympic Gold medallist will lead a peloton of young riders from Welsh Cycling accredited go-ride clubs up St Mary Street to Castle Street before taking to a stage in the castle moat where he will speak to the crowds.
The ride up St Mary Street will take place after a short public appearance at the Senedd steps with the First Minister and the Presiding Officer between 4.30-4.40pm on Thursday,
Everyone is welcome to line St Mary Street to watch Geraint cycle to the front of the Castle where the crowds can hear him speak. Welsh presenter, Gethin Jones will then be hosting the event on a stage in front of the castle.
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Geraint has welcomed the event and said:
“I’ve been blown away by the support since the Tour de France – from everyone, but especially the Welsh public.
‘I can’t wait to head back to Cardiff on Thursday for the homecoming.
‘It’s such an incredible honour and I’m so grateful to everyone involved in helping put this event on”
Anne Adams-King, Chief Executive of Welsh Cycling, said:
“Welsh Cycling are looking forward to welcoming Geraint home on Thursday this will be a very proud moment for everyone and a chance for people across Wales to share this once in a lifetime moment.”
Road Closures for today’s homecoming
To prepare for the event and for the event itself, there will be road closures in place.
On Thursday 9th August 10am until 10pm, High Street will be closed in its entirety to prepare for the event.
From 3pm until 8pm, the following roads will be closed:
- St Mary Street, from the junction with Wood Street to the junction with High Street
- Wharton Street from the junction with St Mary Street to the junction with Bakers Row
- Bakers Row in its entirety
- Castle Street from the junction with Westgate Street to the junction with Duke Street
- Duke Street in its entirety
- Kingsway from the junction with Duke Street to the junction with Greyfriars Road
- North Road from the junction with Kingsway to the junction with Boulevard de Nantes.
- Cowbridge Road East from the junction with Cathedral Road to the junction with Westgate Street eastbound. Westbound will remain unaffected.
