“There really has been a race today. We thought we would have a ‘small Pyrenees' this year, with only two stages... but it was epic and there was a big show, of course, but also very big effort. I think this stage is one of those who can influence the nature of the Tour de France. For my part, I thought that for a moment but when Movistar started to take the helm, I understood that it would be very complicated. They are strong, but it's not really a surprise; I think I have seen him do this on the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, for example. They have the qualities to try things – beautiful things.
“Personally, I'm out of the general classification. The goal will be to get a stage win for the team, either for me or another rider. And this jersey? I'll try to keep it, it is the dream of a lifetime. Now it's easy to say, but it is very difficult to do. In my memories, it's the jersey of Richard Virenque and Laurent Jalabert, who were my idols when I was younger.”
