Quotes

"It was the last stage, we had to try to play the general classification but I did not have the legs to attack today. The result is more than positive, but I couldn't follow it, so there are no regrets. I have passed a milestone, I have progressed physically and I have combined the mental aspect with it. It's a steady progression every year, we add things and I manage to do better races. If someone had told me that at the beginning of Paris-Nice, we would have signed with both hands. The team was there all week, we did everything we needed to do, including the team time...

I never participated in Paris-Nice before. I was good at the first races of the season and it was always my goal and my dream to win Paris-Nice. I’m very happy. They say attack is the best defence. I really know these roads, I’ve done lots of training here. I know exactly how my legs are in the climbs. I was really good with maths today. To be alongside Gaudu and Vingegaard on the podium is special. They are great riders. If I don’t win anything until the end of the season, it’s still not bad.

It was perfect. Getting out and going for the points and then to go back to the peloton and relaxing a bit and take some more points. So yes it was perfect. I will now take it day by day. I’ll make a plan. For sure I need to take as many points as possible.

I was feeling a bit tired from yesterday as it was a hard day but I recovered a bit today and tomorrow I will be fresh and ready to fight again. From the beginning our plan was to go in the breakaway and then, when we hit the last KOM, take those points and take an easy day. And then I could take some more...

This is really nice. I won a few races also last year but it is definitely the best one so far. I was a bit far in the finale but then I took the left side of the roundabout. It was the good choice, it put me in a quite good position behind Mads Pedersen and I was able to overtake him. Coming close, coming second is not bad but it’s victory that matters. I’m happy to be able to do it today. I’m glad for the team, after the team time trial to win this stage.

It was very nervous all day. It was already hard on the flat parts. It was chaos all day. In the final climb, Felix did a very good job in setting me up for the climb in a perfect place. I had good legs. I knew I could not leave Gaudu too much or I would not win. I was a little surprised (by Jonas Vingegaard). He was first to launch the attack and looked super strong. I did not counter, I waited for a rest. In the end I think he lacked a little bit. It was not in my mind to take the yellow jersey but you don’t say no to the yellow. It’s noice to be back in this...