Geraint Thomas admitted it was a dream come true to be among such esteemed company after being voted the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality for 2014 at an awards ceremony in Cardiff.
This year was certainly one to remember for cyclist Thomas, who continues to impress on two wheels having helped Team GB win team pursuit gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Thomas went straight from his highest-placed finish in the Tour de France to the Commonwealth Games, where he won a bronze in the time trial and then claimed gold in the Road Race in dramatic fashion - overcoming a late puncture and a wheel change to cross the finish line first.
These feats saw him secure the public vote just ahead of second placed gymnast Frankie Jones and mountain biker Manon Carpenter in third – with Thomas left beaming with the result.
"I don't know what to say," said Thomas. "You look at all the previous winners - Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes, Colin Jackson, Tanni Grey-Thompson - all household names.
"I just want to say a massive thanks to all who voted and all those who've supported me throughout the year.
"The Welsh flag is one of the ones you see the most now on the roadside during races, and it was just fantastic to cap that off in Glasgow in a Welsh jersey - which I don't get to wear that often."
© Sportsbeat 2014