JUST weeks after riding on the district's roads, British cyclist Geraint Thomas is in poll position to win the Tour de France.
The Welshman memorably won the national time trial at the Cyclone Festival of Cycling, on May 28, which took place on roads around Kirkley Hall and Ponteland.
Thomas, of Team Sky, has excelled at the Tour de France, winning the yellow jersey at Stage 11 earlier this month, and going on to win back-to-back stages last week.
Yesterday, Thomas finished safely in the peloton to maintain his overall lead of 1m 59s over Tom Dumoulin.
Defending champion Chris Froome remained third, a further 32 seconds back, with only a mountain stage, a time trial and Sunday's finale in Paris to come.
Thomas was also among the leading cyclists who were in Kielder last year during the Tour of Britain.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here