“Today I had to remain focused and arrive in Gap with the yellow jersey. It’s a huge honour to have it. It’s pure happiness but it’s also a weight to carry. At some stage today, there was tension in the peloton and I tried to calm the situation. I told the other riders to not take any risk because I was not going to attack. Tomorrow is the hardest stage in the Alps. I know my legs will hurt but I’ve never been mentally as strong and motivated as now. I’m here to defend a jersey that I never imagined I’d have at this stage of the Tour de France and I’m looking forward to it.”
