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Geraint Thomas triumphs in E3 Harelbeke

Geraint Thomas rides to victory in Belgium's E3 Harelbeke classic.

Team Sky's Geraint Thomas has become the first British rider ever to win Belgium's E3 Harelbeke race.

The 215km one-day 'cobbled classic' is regarded as one of the hardest events on the calendar, and serves as a warm up for the Tour of Flanders on April 5.

Thomas, 28, dropped Zdenek Stybar and Slovakia's defending champion Peter Sagan with four kilometres to go and held on to win by 25 seconds.

"I thought if I could surprise them a bit early I might be able to get away," the Welshman told Belgian TV.

"I can't really believe it to be honest. I just imagined I was trying to hold on to [GB track cycling teammate] Ed Clancy's wheel in a team pursuit."

Thomas also becomes the first Welshman to win a classic in 119 years.

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