It's pretty much for me, from the Tour de France perspective, it's something that I was really missing. It's the seventh time I'm riding the Tour de France and have been in a number of breakaways, to finally nail it today - it's a dream come true. I really don't have any words.
It was a stage I'd kind of marked for a breakaway. Yesterday, also obviously, but unfortunately the break went away straightaway. Today we were pretty active - Luke and them were active in the start. I just kind of found the lucky move. I didn't have to do too much to get in there. We all worked really well together. I just believed in myself. Played it quite smart there in the end, I think. I knew I had to get to Tiesj [Benoot] and them on the final climb.
I've been imagining that emotion on the finish line for a long time, so it's fantastic to win at this level. The last Tour de France stage victory for South Africa I think was Robbie Hunter in 2007. It's been a long time between drinks - to win on Bastille Day, that's fantastic. That's a magic memory.
This is a dream come true. Something I've really wanted to do. It's so difficult at this level. When the stars all line up, I can't be any prouder. It's fantastic. I know South Africa will be cheering and my family, too, they've supported me all the way through this.
It's difficult to describe what it means to wear the maillot jaune on July 14, but what I can tell you is that it was more beautiful than the first time I wore it, at the beginning of the week. I spent the entire stage together with my teammates, who controlled it and protected me, for which I am very grateful.
The support I got from the public was phenomenal and is something I will always remember. Hearing my name from the moment I get out of the bus until I arrive in my hotel room is something very special and makes me fight even harder to keep the maillot jaune it for as long as possible.
It was a difficult situation. By dropping Roche, I did myself in. I wanted to let him come back afterwards, but the group with Naesen and Stuyven came closer, so I couldn't wait.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
I already knew what would happen in a sprint against Impey. I tried to win it. I did everything, even though I knew it would be difficult. But yes, second place is the first loser, they say.
I was gone with Roche, while [Jan] Tratnik was hanging on behind us. I came up and saw someone with a white jersey behind me. 'Eh?' I thought. That was Impey. He must have ridden a strong final kilometer. He was therefore strong and certainly deserved it.
I was blocked for a while, but now I have my good legs back. I am satisfied with that. The whole team is doing well and the Tour is still long. (Sporza)
I had goosebumps going up the climbs today. When you're a kid you dream about going up the climbs with all these crowds and I was kind of living the dream again. It was nice to be back in a Tour de France breakaway.
We were in a strong group of guys and it took a bit of success too. We finished in Bardet's hometown, but it's important to try every day to make a result to bring positive momentum into the team. We needed it I think but it's not a victory, not even a podium.
I always believed, otherwise I would not have gone in the breakaway. With the chasers, we kept pulling to the finish because you never know, if they had looked at each other ... I believed until the final kilometre. (Cyclisme'actu)
