Rider Reactions

Pozzato wins the mass sprint for stage 5

Filippo Pozzato

"I was looking for the win for many days; I arrived at the Tour with a very good condition and finally I've managed to show it. At the last turn I was tenth, I've risked all to go out knowing that Freire could reach me."

The Italian rider moves to withing 35 seconds of Fabian Cancellara, but adds: "The yellow jersey is a dream I've been cherished for a long time, but I am aware that more than thirty seconds are a difficult gap to regain."

Daniele Bennati

“I wanted to obtain a good result after all I have suffered in these days, Bennatia said, adding, "The victory would have been the best thing and I have some regrets for not having obtained it. However it's very difficult to be in the sprint with these aches. This result gave me morale. Good work by the whole team”.

David Millar

"After discussing it with [Josean Fernandez] Matxin, I was intent on attacking exactly when I did. I put in my attack taking advantage of the small climb 1.5 kilometre before the finish line. But I wasn´t counting on such a wide road after the final climbdown. This reduced my chances to reaching the finish line before the other riders. However, being in the lead in the final stretch of a stage like this one is very important. The weekend stages will be difficult to me, so I´ll help Iban instead, but next week I´ll seek victory in the time-trial, and perhaps on some other day too.”

Kim Kirchen

"I was quite far back going into the finale but I recovered and found some momentum and managed to get past a few riders on the outside, but then I got blocked for a moment. It stopped me coming through, but I can be happy with a fourth place."