Post-stage quotes

By Jean-François Quénet in Vaison-la-Romaine

Christophe Moreau (AG2R, 2nd)

"I've never climbed the Ventoux as well as today. For a 35 year-old, I had good feelings. It confirms what I did in the Tour of Catalunya (he finished 3rd - ed.). I would have been happy with a second place this morning but at the end of the day, it's frustrating to miss the stage win. Paco (Mancebo) wasn't feeling super and he told me to attack."

Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux, 38th at 5'43, 3rd overall)

"My team did a good job keeping the gap reasonable between the breakaway and the bunch. We thought that Phonak and Gerolsteiner would work at the end. Phonak did it. I didn't want to push myself too far on the Mont Ventoux. I was in 40th position at the beginning of the climb. I was riding at my speed. Passing riders who had exploded was good for my morale, for example when I saw Floyd Landis.

"For the last 7 or 8 kilometres, Sébastien Joly did a lot of work for me. He protected me from the side wind. We didn't know how he had recovered from the breakaway two days ago, but he was ok again after suffering during the time trial. I've never had a guy helping me as much as he does. There are two more difficult days to come. I'll try to limit the damage as well as today."

Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis, 55th at 9'22)

"It was my first time on the Mont Ventoux and I was disappointed that didn't see the Tom Simpson memorial. I looked for it but I didn't know exactly where it was and I suppose it was hidden by spectators."