A RHYL landmark has changed colour in honour of Welsh Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas.

To mark Thomas becoming the first Welshman to triumph in the world's most famous cycle race, the Pont y Ddraig was lit up in the event's signature yellow.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council's lead member for wellbeing and independence, said: “Throughout the year, during certain sporting events, we light up and/or change the colour of Denbighshire landmarks.

“We are delighted to celebrate Geraint Thomas’s achievement by lighting up Pont y Ddraig yellow this evening and throughout the week.

"We hope that the public enjoy seeing it lit up to honour this historical moment when, for the first time, a Welshman won the Tour de France.”

Meanwhile, the two-time Olympic gold medallist's glorious finish on Paris's famous Champs Elysées on Sunday afternoon was followed keenly by his wife Sara Elen's grandmother, Barbara Thomas, in Denbigh, and her uncle, Emyr Thomas, who had travelled from Denbigh to the French capital.

Emyr said: "It's incredible, really.

"We were watching the time trial in Paris on TV in a bar on Saturday.

"We were thinking, good God, he's going to win the Tour de France.

"This is one of the biggest sporting occasions in the world and he is going to win it.

"On Sunday, the build-up was mental, really.

"The thing with Geraint is I don't think there's anybody in the cycling world who has a bad word to say about him. They love him."

The Pont y Ddraig forms part of the North Wales Cycling Route and Rhyl Cycling Club secretary Jon Harland paid tribute to Thomas's amazing achievement, while encouraging local youngsters to try to follow the Team Sky rider's example.

He said: "Not many sportsmen train harder and longer to get themselves in shape for a shot at the top prize in their chosen sport and a Welshman has done that and delivered.

"It's wonderful for Wales and British cycling. Onwards and upwards for the sport."

"There's plenty of opportunities for teenagers to follow Geraint to the top from North Wales.

"Get a start at Rhyl's Marsh Road track every Sunday at 9.30am all-year round!"