“It wasn't easy out there but to come out with that result for the first mountain day – the first real test for the GC riders – it's really pleasing. More than anything, the first GC day is a big psychological battle and we've won that. We've come away with first and second on the stage, first and second on GC. Richie Porte is right up there and it really is a dream scenario for us at the moment. We know there's a long way to go but we've started off really well at least.
“I can't fully take in the idea of actually take it in yet. To be sitting here in the yellow jersey of the Tour de France is something I only dreamed of, so to be in that position... well, I couldn't ask for more. It feels very special.
“I was expecting more of a fight in the final today so I was quite surprised how we were able to come away with first and second and with the sort of time gaps that we see to the other GC riders. It's a long way from over but we can definitely take a lot away from today.
“It's quite hard to take in but just to think that this is the pinnacle of our cycling calendar and to be here after being able to achieve such results today is wonderful. The team has come through the first week in such a good position and we're really happy.
“I think we've got to take advantage of every uphill finish and every GC day that there is. We've got the time trial coming up and this is really an ultimate position to be in. I feel really privileged to be here.
“After the team time trial we were in a very good position even if it was a very small margin we were still well poised for today but there are only several mountain top finishes and so it was the plan to really go for it today and take advantage of the hard finish.”
