Crashes in the first put many out of contention for a good result in the general classification but the Tour offers consolation rewards that can still conjure a lot of emotions. That was the case for the winner of the stage to Peyragudes...

“I've had a lot of bad luck since the start of the Tour, and it was very difficult to manage. I fell three times in two days, and it wasn't looking good. Then it was no longer possible to fight for a good general classification result, especially when Froome and Wiggins are so strong. So I focused on a stage win. I really tried; until now far it hasn't worked but we had to keep fighting the bad luck.
“When I felt that Froome and Wiggins were approaching me on the final climb, I gave everything I could to resist their chase and, after 500 metres from the finish line, I started to tell myself that it was good.
“This is a very special victory for me: I'm back in the squad and I'm winning again, like I did before. For two years I had to stop competing but I never stopped working. And now this is the fifth victory of the season for me. They are all emotional. This is why I was on the podium in a world of my won, and I was not able to restrain my tears.”