Biniam Girmay leads the youth classification.
A lot of guys were super nervous about the wind from the beginning of the stage. I was sure the bunch was going to split at some point. I tried to find a good spot for myself in case something happened, and I managed to do it when the real split happened. Unfortunately, I had to do everything by myself and spend a lot of energy because I didn't have any teammates with me - and I missed them.
In any case, I'm super happy with my shape as I was able to feel comfortable from start to finish on the stage. I feel tired now, but there is another good chance for me tomorrow. I cam here to win stages, and I'll try to land one as quickly as possible."
-Biniam Girmay (Intermarche Wanty)
"I'm really happy, because that's what we had decided in the team briefing. I was free to break away. Once I took the first point, I needed a second to secure the polka dot jersey, and it all came down to Mont Cassel.
Jasper Philipsen won the opening stage of the Tour de France - this win was his 10th Tour stage victory.
"I already had a green jersey from two years ago and then to have the yellow jersey hanging somewhere in my house in the next years is going to be amazing."
-Jasper Philipsen (Alpencin)
It's a place I know well because we often ride there during the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. And yet I attacked too early, Matteo came back and we had to sprint. On the cobbles, you always sprint sitting down, but when I threw the bike forward, I lost my balance, my front wheel came off and we fell. I didn't even know if I had crossed the line first!
It was entirely my fault, so I went to apologize to him and luckily he's fine. I'm a bit sore and I'll be aching for two or three days, but nothing too serious. It's my first climber's jersey, in any race, so I'm really happy. And of course, the one in the Tour is legendary. We'll see tomorrow if it's worth trying to break away, but I'd like to keep it."
-Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis)
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