"Today the main problem I encountered was the wind. The peloton was very nervous as everyone wanted to avoid crashes. I was also hindered by a problem with my wheel and by my back which is still painful since my crash in stage one but, in the end, it turned out well for me: I’m second in the stage and I keep the green jersey. There is no shame by being beaten by André Greipel in such a sprint. Cavendish, Kittel and him are the best sprinters for this kind of finish. I cannot only stay safe to defend the jersey... I hope to keep it but I’ll draw the first conclusion at the end of the first week.
“In the third week, when there’ll be some mountains, I’ll still be up there and I hope to gain the maximum points then.
“Last year when people saw me winning three stages they had the impression it was easy, now everyone realises how hard it is to win... and I don’t win but I’ll still try.
“There are still stages to come that are favourable for me: on the flat terrain I don’t have a lead-out train but I have team-mates who are able to keep me at the front. On the days that there is a break to chase, I know I can count on them.”
