Sunday 13 March 2016 16:38, UK
Geraint Thomas said his overall victory at Paris-Nice proved he can compete with and defeat the best stage racers in the world.
Thomas fended off multiple attacks by Alberto Contador on Sunday's final stage to beat the Spaniard into second place by four seconds.
It was Thomas' second stage-race victory of the season, following his triumph at last month's Volta ao Algarve.
He told teamsky.com: "I'm in dreamland at the moment and it'll take a while to sink in. I used to run home from school to watch Paris-Nice, so to win it is just crazy.
"This confirms I can be up there with the best stage racers in the world and I'll definitely celebrate tonight. You don't win very often, so when you do, you have to enjoy it."
Thomas was dropped by Contador on the final climb of Sunday's seventh stage and fell to 34 seconds adrift of the Tinkoff rider on the road.
However, he clawed back the deficit with a brilliant descent into Nice and crossed the line just five seconds down.
Thomas added: "I knew I had to keep fighting and I never gave up. Having Sergio [Henao] there with me at the end really helped, and I owe Tony Gallopin a few beers as well.
"That descent was like a load of back-to-back team pursuits, and as the gap gradually came down, I knew I had a chance. I went full gas all the way to the line and ended up taking the win."
