"It has been quite an easy stage, with only one man going in the breakaway. It has been a bit long, but I’m happy with the heat. I like the heat. In last year’s stages, my best stages were the warmest ones. I am feeling better after every stage and my morale is quite high. Had you told me before the Tour de France that I was going to be in the lead after seven stages, with a 25” gap on Pogacar, I almost wouldn’t have believed it. I feel satisfied and happy that I am already in the yellow jersey. It’s always better to be at the front than behind. And the stages that suit me better are still to come…"
