Tour de France stage 18 reactions: Ben O'Connor, Julian Alaphilippe, Wilco Kelderman, David Gaudu
Jul 16 2021 05:43 am CET
Photo by ASO/Karenn EDWARDS
The last mountain stage of the Tour de France has finished with an unmoved General Classification and a new victory of Tadej Pogacar.
The 18th stage of the French grand tour featured climbs like the Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden and although some action happened, the first spots of the General Classification remained unmoved as Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz maintained their positions at the end of the stage.
Here are the reactions of some of the riders after the last mountain day:
Ben O'Connor (AG2R Citroën):
"I didn't feel as good as the day before, but I managed to get through it. It's a good day for me and for the AG2R Citroën Team. The third week of the Grand Tours suit me well. Wilco Kelderman and I did the same race today. I'm fourth in the overall standings, but the gap with him is slim (32''). We will see on Saturday after the time trial."
Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step):
"I knew it was one final chance for a proper breakaway, so I attacked and gave everything. I did my best while up the road, but the peloton had different plans today and rode full gas behind us. I missed a bit on the Tourmalet, but despite this and being reeled in with three kilometres left until the top, I have no regrets. I enjoyed being again in the break and showing this beautiful jersey."
Wilco Kelderman (Bora-hansgrohe):
"It wasn't a great day for me, I was still feeling a bit sore after yesterday's crash. There was a big battle until the finish, it was the last mountain stage, so it was an all-out fight. Emu [Emanuel Buchmann] and Patrick [Konrad] were also pretty good today, they helped me, and it was good to have Emu in the finale. He brought me to the final 2 km, which was perfect. I'll give my absolute best in the fight for GC positioning. I think I have the possibility of edging up one spot, but even if I don't make it, fifth overall is also a good result. We'll see, the final big clash will come on Saturday."
David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ):
"Tourmalet is one of my favourite climbs and the Pyrenees are my favourite mountains. I said I’d go on the attack and give it all no matter what. I had to go ahead in order to not find myself with Pogacar and Vingegaard who would have been stronger than me in the finale. When I finished the downhill by myself, there was some headwind. It was hard. Pierre Latour couldn’t hold my wheel in the downhill, it’s a pity. It hasn’t worked out for the stage win, but I have enjoyed my ride. We’re only four left in the team, but we want to make the most of it. We have one chance left for a stage win in the time trial with Stefan Küng."
Tour de France stage 18 reactions: Ben O'Connor, Julian Alaphilippe, Wilco Kelderman, David Gaudu https://t.co/DFODG65AQw#TDF2021
— CyclingPub (@CyclingPub) July 15, 2021
?A.S.O./Pauline Ballet pic.twitter.com/ZeDps1npVt
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