Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), winner of today’s stage: “It was really a big relief to finally be able to cut a line first, especially today (Sunday), for my first Tour de France. I really knew I could win on the penultimate climb, I felt that I was really good, that I was able to follow the attacks. My idea was then to attack during the decisive bump afterwards.
I also knew that I could be faster in the sprint than Oliveira and Abrahamsen (his last two breakaway companions). The day was complicated yesterday (Saturday), it was rather logical for some, especially the sprinters, but less logical for me. As I very quickly felt that I was not in the game, I wanted to finish quietly to preserve myself and experience a day like today later. It was the right strategy.
And today, I wanted to rectify the situation and show that I still had good legs and reassure myself. I was firmly convinced that I could win a stage. That was my goal, I wanted to seize every opportunity. I put a lot of energy into getting out, and I quickly saw that it could go all the way, especially since the last climb suited me perfectly.
For the rest of the Tour, I’m not going to change my strategy, I’m going to try to get to the front as often as possible, I’m going to help the team and why not try to win a second stage. In the team, everyone is happy, the manager, the assistants, etc. This was a goal set before departure and we have already achieved it.
I am really happy to have brought this first victory, it is a real relief. I did not want to have the same regrets at the finish as during the last Flèche Wallonne (he finished 2nd). I tried to make the perfect effort. I am really happy to bring this victory to France and to the Normandy region.
