André Greipel: “It was all about taking the right decisions”

Hats off to Kathusha who worked all day. We did some work also at the end but I didn't know what to expect with the head wind. In the first 18km today, everything went through my mind, like making the time cut. There were 24 guys up the road and it was so hard. I've had to deal with a different set up today as my lead out men weren't with me [Greg Henderson pulled out and Marcel Sieberg was in the laughing group]. Jens Debusschere was my last man. We talked about the key point and he listened very well. Tim Wellens protected me from the wind all day. Lars Bak was in the breakaway. Adam Hansen was a great help, also Tony Gallopin even though he's high placed on GC. It was all about taking the right decisions at the end and having the power in the legs at the end. Alexander Kristoff's wheel was the right one to follow. I accelerated when I saw the 250 metres mark. At 100 metres, I put my 11 cog on and I was pleased that my chain stayed there. Compared to previous years, all I get is more experience. I've worked for being more explosive but I don't know if I'm the fastest in this Tour. I'm one of the fastest but other sprinters are also in good condition. It helps to win at the beginning of the Tour. It has helped me this year for my confidence. But all of my career, I've been fast and I've won races, even at the Tour de France. I don't become slower even when Marcel Kittel is not here. The next sprint will be on the Champs-Elysées but next Sunday seems pretty far away when I see the amount of climbing that we'll have to do before getting there. So my next goal is the rest day.