THE Welsh national anthem blasted out over Glasgow Green as Team Wales got their perfect golden ending to the Commonwealth Games thanks to Geraint Thomas.
The Cardiff star travelled to Scotland in the name of national pride and with few expectations, but returns as a Glasgow 2014 champion after a sensational victory in the men's road race.
Thomas was told by Welsh coach Darren Tudur before the start of the 12-lap, 168-kilometres undulating course that he would be Wales' flagbearer for the closing ceremony.
And the bronze medallist from Thursday's road time-trial ensured he would lead the team as its fifth gold medallist by escaping to victory on the last lap, a week after finishing the Tour de France in Paris.
The 28-year-old from said: "Riding the Tour before it just adds to how good it feels to come away with two medals. I really didn't expect it.
"I was coming purely out of national pride and wanting to ride for Wales. I never really expected to medal, if I'm honest.
"To come away with a win and a bronze is more than I could've dreamt of.
"It was an amazing feeling to come down the home straight with this Welsh jersey on and win."
There was plenty of drama in the torrential rain as Thomas had to overcome an early mechanical and a puncture inside the final 6km.
Fortunately for Thomas he had enough of an advantage to absorb the inconvenience to win by one minute 21 seconds as Jack Bauer of New Zealand beat Scott Thwaites of England to silver, the Yorkshireman having to settle for bronze.
Welsh teammate Luke Rowe was sixth and Scott Davies tenth, while Risca’s Sam Harrison and Newport’s Jon Mould did not finish in the torrential rain.
Thomas, twice an Olympic champion in the team pursuit on the track, said: "When I felt that front wheel going down, I can't say what I was saying, I was swearing, saying 'what have I got to do?'
"It felt like an eternity for that wheel change. I'm sure it wasn't that slow.
"Fortunately I had a decent enough time gap."
It was the second home nations triumph of the final day after Lizzie Armitstead earlier led an England one-two ahead of retiring team-mate Emma Pooley in a thrilling women's road race.
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