Thomas Voeckler – “We'll see what happens...”

"It was not logical to see so many attacks today. It all worked out in the end but we made sure that it unfolded this way. In the team every did their job perfectly now and I’m most impressed. If I ever have to surrender the yellow jersey it’s no fault of my team-mates.
“I know the climb to Plateau de Beille because I’ve done it several times when I was racing as an ‘espoir’ [young rider] as well as in the Rud du Sud. I know it will be even harder to defend my yellow jersey than at Luz Ardiden, which was already very, very difficult. We'll see what happens, it is certain that it would be possible if the pack is riding at a reasonable tempo, and if the attacks among the favorites are not launched until about three kilometers from the finish. But they know that all the winners of the Plateau de Beille also won the Tour on the same year, and they will certainly shake things up a little.”