"Today was an incredible day. The team did a super good job. We targeted this stage a long time ago. It’s also true that Jonas [Vingegaard] beat me in the sprint fair and square here. Today, I had similar legs at the finish, completely destroyed. But I enjoyed the day and in the end, I didn’t know I was gonna win until the final kilometre. Then I remembered it’s Bastille Day and I tried to honour the Yellow Jersey. Thanks to all the fans who came today to the roadside. It was an amazing atmosphere. And to the guys who are booing: they give us more power.
Today, we were trying new radios and I heard nothing when there was too much public. In the final ten kilometres, I didn’t know nothing about the gaps or who was doing what. All I had in my mind was to keep pushing to the top. I knew the climb very well, we also did a recon yesterday. There was a bit of doubt as well since that’s where Jonas came back two years ago and then I was empty for he sprint. For sure I also had that on my mind until the final few metres.
I think so far the Tour has been perfect for me. It suited us perfectly. Today for example, each climb suited a rider in the team so everybody could do their job and I could finish it off. Isaac [del Toro] also did very good trying to follow the rest. He’s a fighter.
You never know how long it lasts and you need to be grateful for this moment riding the biggest race of the world. It’s in France, not so far from home. I also saw Slovenian flags on the road. You need to enjoy the race."
