Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek): "A lot of guys wanted to make the break, and a lot of guys didn’t want some other people in the break, so that’s why it went so fast. Julien [Bernard] was at the front. He’s such an underestimated bike rider. As a teammate, he’s one of the best guys you can have. If you tell him to pull on the flat, he’s there; on a day like today, he makes the break… He was super valuable. When Cicco [Giulio Ciccone] was dropped a bit, Julien waited and pulled for him. I only have good words and massive respect for Julien Bernard. It’s definitely because of people like him that we are able to win bike races, and we’re able of dreaming to win more stages and take this green jersey to the podium in Madrid."
