“My early attack along with Julian Alaphilippe was a great effort for me. I had my rivals for the KOM classification on the back of my mind, and I decided to anticipate my move hoping some riders would bridge across from the bunch on the first climb. In the end, that didn’t happen and, soon after the intermediate sprint, a break went away and I couldn’t make it. Knowing there was a big group ahead and that Ineos was playing for the GC from the bunch, I decided to ease up and save some energy for the upcoming days. I feel well. There will come days on which I will be on the break. Heat doesn’t play against me: I’m used to it.”
