Geraint Thomas made an OBE in New Year Honours

Geraint Thomas, who had been tipped for a knighthood in the New Year Honours List, published today, has instead been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

The Tour de France champion was already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) after winning his first Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008.

Thomas, who earlier this month was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018, said of his OBE: "This is an amazing honour.

"2018 will always be a year I remember for everything I achieved around both the Dauphiné and especially the Tour.

"This is the icing on the cake and I am so grateful to everyone who played a part in helping me get recognised once again."

His Team Sky colleague, Chris Froome, was awarded an OBE in the 2016 New Year Honours List following the second of his four Tour de France victories.

Away from sport, two other people have been honoured today for their work in cycling.

Malcolm Margolis – a past winner of Cycling UK’s Volunteer of the Year award for his campaigning work, has been awarded the British Empire Medal “for services to cycling in Harrogate.”

Also receiving the British Empire Medal, “for services to transport,” is Elina Kammelard, who works on cycling and walking policy at the Department for Transport.