Young Welsh rider Geraint Thomas has been handed a dream ticket to the Tour de France.
The 21-year-old, in his first year as a professional, has been selected for the Barloworld team which will start the race in London on July 7.
Thomas showed great promise before graduating to the senior ranks, winning a track world title as well as the junior edition of the prestigious one-day race, Paris Roubaix.
But the Tour will be a considerable step up for Thomas, a product of British Cycling's academy system.
Thomas told BBC Sport Wales: ‘I cannot imagine how big this is. This is the ultimate in cycling.
‘If you do the Tour de France you can do any big race. It's a dream I've had since I was a kid.
‘It's quite exciting and quite scary as well, having to ride the biggest and hardest bike race in the world. It will be unbelievable with the start in London as well.’
