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Tour of Britain returns to Caerphilly County Borough

News, Sport | Rhys Williams | Published: 11:00, Monday September 8th, 2025.
Last updated: 12:36, Monday September 8th, 2025

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World-renowned cyclists raced through Caerphilly County Borough on Stage Six of the 2025 Tour of Britain
World-renowned cyclists raced through Caerphilly County Borough on Stage Six of the 2025 Tour of Britain

Thousands of people lined the streets as the Tour of Britain raced through the towns and villages of Caerphilly County Borough on Sunday – despite the wet weather.

The final stage of the annual event came back to south Wales this year, starting in Newport and finishing in Cardiff.

En route, the tour entered the borough through Pontymister, heading up the Lower Sirhowy Valley before passing through Pontllanfraith and Blackwood.

From there, the route took the cyclists through Crumlin and up into Blaenau Gwent, passing Ebbw Vale before dropping back down to Markham – where the race was briefly paused due to a cow wandering onto the road.

From there, the testing route led the competitors through New Tredegar and Rhymney, before coming back down through the Darran Valley, to Bargoed, and through Gelligaer.

Cyclists making their way through the Darran Valley
Cyclists making their way through the Darran Valley
Dafydd and Mali in Fochriw ready to cheer on the cyclists
Dafydd and Mali in Fochriw ready to cheer on the cyclists

From there, cyclists crossed over to Trelewis and into Nelson, racing through Ystrad Mynach and Llanbradach before blistering through Caerphilly town centre as the finish line drew closer.

Then it was up over Caerphilly Mountain and down into Cardiff as the 2025 Tour of Britain drew to a close.

The final stage of the competition was won by Dutchman Olav Kooij, of Team Visma, while Great British duo Samuel Watson, of INEOS Grenadiers, and Fred Wright of Bahrain Victorious, finished second and third respectively.

But it was Frenchman Romain Gregoire, of Groupama FDJ, who claimed overall victory on the day.

Finishing second overall was Soudal Quick-Step’s Remco Evanepoel, of Belgium, with France’s Julian Alaphilippe, of Tudor Pro Cycling Team, in third.

Geraint Thomas (in red) in Caerphilly town centre on his final race before retirement
Geraint Thomas (in red) in Caerphilly town centre on his final race before retirement

But while the biggest names in cycling passed the borough’s homes, businesses, greenery, and attractions alike, much of the focus was on one man – Wales’ Geraint Thomas.

The 2018 Tour de France winner, who hails from Cardiff, was competing in his last race before retirement – finishing 32nd in the final stage.

It was the first time since 2023 that the annual event came through Caerphilly County Borough – with Caerphilly’s Twyn Car Park hosting the victory celebrations two years ago.

I don’t really have any words right now. But, if you were in Cardiff today…

Cheers 🍾❤️ pic.twitter.com/pzqAGtJqHq

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) September 7, 2025
Cyclists passing the former Stagecoach depot in Pontllanfraith
Cyclists passing the former Stagecoach depot in Pontllanfraith
Cyclists making their way through the Darran Valley
Cyclists making their way through the Darran Valley
Cyclists making their way through the Darran Valley
Cyclists making their way through the Darran Valley
Cyclists racing through Pontllanfraith
Cyclists racing through Pontllanfraith
The Tour of Britain passing through Llanbradach
The Tour of Britain passing through Llanbradach
The team cars followed behind the cyclists
The cyclists were given a police escort as a series of rolling road closures were in place during the race
The cyclists were given a police escort as a series of rolling road closures were in place during the race
The team cars followed behind the cyclists
The Tour of Britain came through Caerphilly town centre
The Tour of Britain came through Caerphilly town centre
The team at Ystrad Mynach-based MediaMotos filmed the race
The team at Ystrad Mynach-based MediaMotos filmed the race
The Ystrad Mynach-based motorbike film crew capturing the most famous races in the world
The tour passing through Ystrad Mynach
The tour passing the Royal Oak roundabout Ystrad Mynach
Crowds gathered on Caerphilly Mountain
Crowds gathered on Caerphilly Mountain
Geraint Thomas passing Caerphilly Castle
Geraint Thomas passing Caerphilly Castle
Riders passing Pontygwindy Road in Caerphilly
Riders passing Pontygwindy Road in Caerphilly
Soudal Quick-Step's team car trailing behind the tour
Soudal Quick-Step’s team car trailing behind the tour
Geraint Thomas tackling Caerphilly Mountain in front of cheering supporters
Geraint Thomas tackling Caerphilly Mountain in front of cheering supporters
Cyclists in full flow


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