Paris: Geraint Thomas survived a late scare to win the Criterium du Dauphine as Adam Yates of the Australian Mitchelton-Scott team won the final stage to consolidate second place.
Team Sky's Thomas suffered two punctures during the 136-kilometre stage from Moutiers to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, but took a wheel from a teammate on the second occasion and was paced back to the peloton by Michal Kwiatkowski and Dylan van Baarle.
The 32-year-old Welshman eventually finished fifth, 19 seconds behind Yates whose 10-second time bonus for winning the stage reduced his overall deficit to Thomas to one minute exactly.
"It's amazing to win such a prestigious race," Thomas told the race's official website.
"It's incredible. I didn't let myself think so far ahead. I was always thinking of the next day or the next day. Now I realise I've won a massive race.
"Punctures today didn't really help. I had to chase back on. The guys rode really well for me. On the last climb, I just knew I had about 1 min 20 to lose on Yatesy.