Thomas: Olympic star, loyal teammate, and now Tour champ

ESPELETTE, France (AP) — Five years ago when riding the Tour de France in support of Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas fell off his bike on a Corsican road in the opening stage and broke his pelvis.

Against all odds, Thomas soldiered on for 3,000 kilometers and three weeks to the finish line in Paris, where he celebrated the first of Froome's four victories with the rest of their Team Sky teammates.

Barring a crash on Sunday on the ceremonial stage to the Champs-Elysees, it will be Thomas' turn to add a first Grand Tour triumph to an already glorious career.

"He is a true fighter," says Sky principal Dave Brailsford, the man who masterminded Britain's successes at the Olympics and Tour de France wins for Bradley Wiggins and Froome.