Tobias Johannessen delivered a strong performance for Uno-X team on what was the most demanding stage of this year’s Tour de France.
The 24-year-old, who was the first man over the legendary Col du Tourmalet last year, was involved in the breakaway that dominated the brutal stage and finished 11th the day.
“We realised that Pogacar and Vingegaard would come in the end on the last climb, then it was just about winning the breakaway but I think Carapaz did that.
“For me, when those two guys went past it’s like I don’t do the same sport as them. They are way too good and you want to hate them, but they are cool guys and make cycling fun to watch so it’s a bit hard. [They are] on another level.”
“It was for me good to be in the breakaway, that was the first goal. After that, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe had a couple of guys and they saw an opportunity before one of the last climbs to split the group. I got caught behind so I was a bit pissed but I used that aggression to bridge up to the group to be able to fight for a win.”
“Some got a bit pissed but the opportunity for the win was gone then it went into a tactical phase, you just have to try to attack and be the last guy to get caught.
“For me, I didn’t have the best legs after bridging up to the front group so I knew that it was over. In the end, it was nothing but that’s life.”
