Wales National Velodrome to be renamed in honour of Geraint Thomas' Tour de France victory

Newport City Council has announced plans to rename the Wales National Velodrome after Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas.

The cycling venue will now become the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in recognition of his success in the race in July.

Geraint Thomas became the first Welshman to win as part of Team Sky.He was welcomed home by crowds of people in Cardiff at a special homecoming at the beginning of the month.

Geraint has trained in the Velodrome since it opened in 2003 and took part in training camps with Team GB before the 2012 summer Olympics in London where he won a gold medal.

Newport Council say they want to show their appreciation for the cyclists achievement.

Since Geraint's win, Newport Live, the charitable trust that runs the Velodrome, has said enquiries for cycling at the venue have gone up as people from all ages and backgrounds take up riding.

Newport Live's Chairman, John Harrhy, said the board were 'immediately unanimous' in supporting plans to rename the Velodrome.

Geraint Thomas has trained in the Velodrome since it opened in 2003 and took part in training camps with Team GB before the 2012 summer Olympics in London where he won a gold medal.

Reacting to the news, Geraint Thomas said: 'It's a huge honour for me to have the Velodrome renamed after me - I can't quite believe it if I'm honest!'