French rider Kevin Vauquelin said he had a “perfect day” after winning the second stage of the Tour de France in Bologna on Sunday, riding solo after dropping his breakaway companions.
“It’s completely crazy, yesterday I was at rock bottom. We had a perfect day”rejoiced the 23-year-old from Normandy, who gave his Arkéa-B&B Hotels team its first victory on the Grande Boucle.
This is the second French victory in two days after that of Romain Bardet on the first stage, an unprecedented feat since 1968 and the double of Charly Grosskost.
“I had some difficult weeks with disappointments, even though I had a good level in the French championship,” said Kévin Vauquelinwho has just become French vice-champion in the time trial. “I wasn’t feeling well at the Tour de Suisse.”
For his first Tour, with around ten kilometers remaining, Vauquelin made the difference on the formidable San Luca climb, before racing to victory on the descent to Bologna.
“I knew that in the bump I was punchier than them”, analyzed the French runner.
“I’m going to give a big thank you to Cristian (Rodriguez, his teammate, who left with him in the breakaway, Editor’s note) who put a lot of power throughout the race, doing the relays, animating the breakaway, and then controlling everything,” added Vauquelin. “He was very strong.”
