Bam! That is the win. I am proud to come back like this at the Tour after my messed-up season last year. This win is special because it was a long stage, it went uphill, after the not-so-optimal previous stage the team functioned perfectly, and I could finally once again show that I belong to the best in the world.

Yesterday we analyzed for a long time what we could do better. And today everyone did what they said they would. That pays off. I am mega-happy, even though I am of course totally exhausted. It was a long, hard sprint, in which at the end we all rather exploded ;-) Fortunately I could cool my legs down in the ice bath by 12° water temperature ;-)

Thanks to the guys. You were great. We will now drink a toast but won’t overdo it. After all, we still have some things to do ;-)

Photos: roth-foto.de