"I would have loved to win in the Yellow Jersey, but Tadej was just too strong. On the last climb, he attacked and put me in the red. I could feel my legs burning. We managed to come back, but I was a bit exhausted coming into the finale. I did try to sprint, but I was on my limit and Tadej was simply stronger than everyone. I’m a bit disappointed not to win, yet very happy to be there along with so many climbers.
I will try to win again at Mûr-de-Bretagne on Friday, yet seeing how Tadej is riding it will be very tough to do it.
I’m happy I kept the Yellow Jersey. If I am realistic, I know that I will probably lose it in tomorrow’s ITT, yet it will be a pleasure to ride a time trial in yellow as I did in 2021."