"I never thought I would grow up writing a book." — Geraint Thomas

I rode for Maindy Flyers, a local kids' club from Cardiff. We started travelling across the country doing races, but Manchester was the first stage race I did.

I have come to see what the Tour is about, and it has been harder than I imagined. You don't realise what it is like until you actually compete.

It's hard to put into words, really, how proud I am and great it is to represent Wales because, in cycling, it's a little-known country, so it's nice to put it on the map.

The last thing I want to do, even in the off-season, is traipse around shops looking for clothes: it's not my thing.