Stephen Cummings: “I used my experience as a track rider”

It's a relief to cross the line as a winner. I did what I was supposed to do. We entered this stage with a huge motivation. It's fantastic for the team to win at the Tour de France and it's even better on Mandela Day. We had a special meeting about that this morning and we wore a special helmet but I didn't think we could win. That was a long shot. For now, I don't realize that I've won a stage at the Tour de France. The Tour de France is a dream. The first time I took part in it, it was dream, then I won a stage at the Vuelta and I thought why not at the Tour de France. But I needed to be in a team with a free role and this team really believed I could deliver. We spoke in September last year. I was also speaking with other teams but I chose MTN because Qhubeka is a unique cause in cycling, I like that. I also like their strategy to go for stage wins. I'm not always free. Sometimes I have to help Edvald Boasson Hagen or Louis Meintjes but I knew I would have a chance to race for myself here. Luckily I've played well. I knew the last climb because I did it in 2010 at Paris-Nice. I knew I wasn't the best climber so I paid attention to not blow in the hill. Possibly my adversaries have underestimated me. I was a bit surprised. It didn't seem that AG2R had a clear strategy. I thought Bakelants would ride hard at the beginning but this is the Tour de France and everyone wants to try his luck. On the other hand, FDJ clearly showed they were riding for Pinot. I didn't have to contribute much. I just gambled. Two kilometers before the top, I went full gas and I could see Pinot. On the flat and downhill after the climb, I knew I had more kg and a better aerodynamic than the two others. They didn't cooperate so I caught them. I knew Pinot would be cautious in cornering so I used my experience as a track rider to finish the job. I'm just really happy.