"I didn't really expect to be at the front today, but I gave it my all to get this win. It was as much a question of mental strength as physical. I tried several times to stay well placed, making myself discreet in the peloton until the last climb. On the last lap, I repositioned myself and the race calmed down a bit until the last kilometer. The headwind on the last climb allowed me to express my power and conclude this effort with a victory. Our collective strength will be the key to securing the overall classification tomorrow."