The British cyclist Geraint Thomas, teammate of the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz at Team INEOS, raised 300,000 pounds (about 350,000 euros/380,615 dollars) for the British public health system (NHS) and for the fight against COVID-19 in the United Kingdom by pedaling 36 hours on his trainer in his garage.

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"I have heard so many stories about what they (healthcare workers) do, that it made me want to try to play a small part and help a little bit," said the Welshman, winner of the Tour de France in 2018, who revealed that his retired mother returned to work at the hospital in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

Thomas, who is also a double Olympic champion in team pursuit, in 2008 and 2012, achieved his challenge in three days, pedaling twelve hours a day in the garage of his residence in Cardiff.

Day one nearly done -- Thanks for all of the support so far!

This is all in aid of @NHSCharities. Donate here: https://t.co/V4yNaiULZY pic.twitter.com/ZFtacekV0I

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) April 15, 2020

"Without exaggerating, the last two hours were the most exhausting of my entire career," he said. "I could barely sit."

"Until now, my longest bike ride was 8 hours and 20 minutes in a group, with a coffee break," recalled the 33-year-old champion.

"I will need a week to recover," confessed Thomas after having pedaled the equivalent of eight or nine stages of the Tour de France.

Really feeling it now (in places you don’t want to feel it...) One last push ---- almost £290,000 raised ---- https://t.co/K9RomHbTd3 pic.twitter.com/1kFh1oda6y

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) April 17, 2020

Thomas, named British Sports Personality of the Year in 2018, is in confinement like most high-level athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to the cancellation or postponement of all major races in the coming months. (D)