Competitions

Tream Quick-Step: Race Quotes: Tour de France Stage 6

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Parent Category: Competitions

Category: Tour de France 2011

Published on Thursday, 07 July 2011 19:07

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Tom Boonen

"It was a hard day. Today definitely was not the right stage to recuperate after a fall. The rain, the wind and the kilometres all made for a really hard race. I did my best. I was feeling the consequences of the fall, but I got through one of the most difficult times that a rider can go through after a fall. Now all I want to do is recuperate some energy. I'm really looking forward to the rest day so I can try to recuperate better and then I'll try to do something good."

Sylvain Chavanel

"It's been a day I will remember for a long time. I'm still in the race thanks to my sports directors. I even stopped during the stage, but they spurred me on by reminding me that this is the TOUR and that I'm carrying the symbol of my country on my shoulders. I stuck it out even though the mobility in my shoulder is really limited. I can't relaunch and every time I try to stand on my pedals I'm shot through with pain. To suffer like this while riding is no walk in the park, but I also want to stay tough for all the fans who have supported me, even today along the sides of the roads."

Gert Steegmans

"It was a really difficult day, a sufferance. In the beginning of the stage I was also having a hard time finding a hand position that would allow me to brake. It wasn't easy, but I managed to finish the race. Tomorrow is also going to be hard, more than 200 kilometres. However I want to continue the race. My legs were good, even today."

Gerald Ciolek

"Today my legs weren't exceptional. I was feeling yesterday's fall a lot; at 20 km to go I had even a flat tyre and I was forced to chase the group for few kilometres. In the sprint I got on Hushovd's wheel. I was in perfect position. I tried busting off his wheel, but I didn't have any explosiveness. After a day like yesterday's and today's rain, I think it's a good result anyway that helps me look forward to the next stages with confidence."