Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott): “Yes, I’ve made it! It’s still sinking in. I’m incredibly proud. I’m also incredibly proud of the team. They’ve carried me for these entire three weeks. It’s the first Grand Tour for the team. It’s just unbelievable. Adam (Yates) was running out of legs (when he attacked in the penultimate climb) and I didn’t want to end up in a position where I could have been riding in the valley, that would have been the worst situation possible. I knew Quintana and Lopez were up the road and Lopez had something to win so I figured maybe he could work with me. Sometimes attack is the best defence. In the last climb I was ok. I was at my limit. Mas and Lopez were riding incredible. I just tried to make my own rhythm. I gave everything I had and thankfully it was enough.”
