"Getting the polka-dot jersey was my goal for this stage. It was more realistic to have a go today than in the high mountains. I already had four points on my books, so I decided to go on the break and chase the KOM points all day long. It took me a big effort on the last climb, but in the end I grabbed just enough points to land the leadership on the standings. I’m honored to take this jersey into the rest day. I will try to keep it for as long as possible, but I am aware that there are many big climbs to come.
When Bob Jungels and I went away, I was on my limit. I had just enough energy to be the first atop the summit. When I lost his wheel on the descent, I thought it was wiser to wait for the big group that was riding behind us. But then it turned out he was faster on the downhill and the flats than the group was. It’s the one mistake I made today."
