Benjamin King (Dimension Data): “It was the plan to be part of the breakaway but then I didn’t know exactly how to handle things. At some point I realised the front group would fight for the stage but I wasn’t convinced I’d be the strongest. I went early and I put myself in TT mode. Stalnov wanted me to give him the victory if he helped me take the red jersey but winning a Grand Tour stage was my goal since the beginning of the year. I was sick at the Giro, it didn’t work, and breakaways rarely succeed, but if you never put yourself in this position… I was totally jacked up, I could feel the cramps but I stayed strong in the head and got it. It’s incredible. It’s great for the team too. Everybody knows we’ve had a rough season but we believe in what we do. We know a victory like today’s will help raise more bikes for Qhubeka. It’s an honour to ride for a cause and an extra motivation.”
