Chris Froome is a guy with a great sense of humor. With his face completely covered in sweat and sand from the cobbles, the British rider showed his happiness despite losing the yellow jersey: "In 2014 I didn't even get close to a section of cobblestones, I fell and got injured before." Overcoming this day, even though Tony Martin took the lead from me, is a huge success. We came here for the title. We are still on the right track, well positioned.
The Sky team leader wanted to thank his teammates for their work, and also congratulate Tony Martin: "They protected me brilliantly. Geraint is incredible: he dances on the stones, he watched my back and led me to the front." And I must congratulate Tony Martin. He is an exceptional rider, and his victory and his yellow jersey are more than deserved rewards.