Tadej Pogacar, yellow jersey and third on the stage (SLO/UAE): "It was an excellent finish for me. The race was controlled by other teams so I was ready to race in sprint. Although I was determined to win, I didn't finish the race in the time allotted. For me, third place is really great. Laengen was killed in a positive test for Covid-19. It was due to the large size of the team. He was fit and riding well on all levels, including the climbs. It was almost like the team train. Without him, it will be more difficult. Despite all that, I believe we can manage with seven runners to Paris. (...) While the Covid isn't a rival, it can have an impact on things. It can cause havoc on the Tour. My opponents are Jumbo and Ineos."
Wout van Aert, green jersey winner and Stage Winner (BEL/JUM): "It's not easy to win a race let alone the Tour de France. It will be difficult to win a stage at the Tour de France, even though I believe it. The last climb was the hardest. I was determined to make it the final 300m because I knew there would be a flat area after. It was difficult to stay on the wheel when I was with great climbers. This kind of ending is what I like. My victory is what I am most happy about. It's great to win as a team. It's good for all. We race with a plan, and will attempt to win more stages.
Michael Matthews (AUS/BikeExchange), was second on the podium: "My team did an amazing job throughout the entire stage to control the breakaway. In the final, my position was perfect and it was up for me to finish. I wanted to trigger the gun a bit earlier than I did yesterday (Thursday in Longwy). Van Aert was the strongest, there were still 200 meters to go. I didn't make a mistake and gave my best effort. I am pleased to be second, and I'm hopeful that the wheel will turn.
Mattia Cattaneo, ITA / Quick-Step, breakaway and combative of day: "It was obvious that we couldn't win. We were able to experience this, so I suggested that my companions go there quietly throughout the day as there can be situations that change in peloton. These were things that I learned while racing for Androni. At the time, I was taking breakaways quite a bit. It would have been essential to have at most a two-minute gap at foot of last climb in order to hope for something in this final. It was also important to remember that it takes a lot of effort to reach the top once you get there. I will keep trying.
Benjamin Thomas (FRA/Cofidis), seventh on the stage: "I didn’t really sprint. We needed to throw far enough. I didn't know the final. I was told the last 100m were flat. In fact, it was the last 200-300m. I didn't want the effort to be too quick and I will never get up again. Although it is a shame, it was still a great performance with a strong finish. We had planned to breakaway this morning, but Jumbo was not letting up. We switched strategies and I stayed focused on the end. I was a little loose-legged.
David Gaudu (FRA / Groupama FDJ), 12th on the Stage: "I signed directly for it to be the Tour's somewhat rotten Day, because there is always one. There is no boo. I don't waste my time. The black point of the falls is real. It's more fear than danger, it's not a wound or pain. That's the main point. It's a normal fall, it slows down and then I crash into it. Unfortunately, that was all I could do. All riders will agree that crashing on the Tour de France is difficult. Although it was difficult to manage, we managed to let go of some pressure while still trying to remain focused. Tomorrow (Sunday), will be different. Jumbo is not far from us trying to climb the last step. Roglic also attacks from afar.
