Updated on 2020-09-10 09:23:54
Caleb Ewan caught a second stage victory in Poitiers in this Tour de France. In the final sprint, a final boost allowed the Australian to throw his bike on the line and lead in extremis Peter Sagan, Sam Bennett and Wout van Aert.
This is the second victory for Caleb Ewan and Lotto Soudal in this Tour de France, after a first success in Sisteron at the end of the third stage.
Caleb Ewan:
“It was madness in the finale. I was at the front 1.5km from the finish and let myself be downshifted because of the headwind.
Since my first win, I know I have to stay calm and wait for the breach to open. I didn’t find the opening until quite late today.
I threw my bike over the line but didn't know if I won. I really wanted to win today. I was disappointed yesterday and it gives me great pleasure that the efforts of my teammates are rewarded. "
“I'm really happy with these two victories.
The first takes a lot of pressure off. After that, you always want to go get a second one.
Now I obviously want to win a 3rd one, especially in Paris on the Champs-Elysées. So I hope to hang in the mountains and be able to try my luck again in Paris. "
“We are only 5 cyclists at Lotto Soudal. It means I only have four teammates left to prepare for the sprints. After all the hard work during the stage, they were down to two in the last 10 kilometers.
The other teams put pressure on us attacking in the final, but my two teammates did the job of a dozen men. They really did a really good job. "
“My main competitor, Sam Bennett, is one of my best friends. In the sprint it is only the victory that counts but we are happy when the other wins. I was very happy to see him take his first victory yesterday. You could see how much that means to him and I know he worked hard to get there. "