The Tour de France immediately showed its explosive nature, and in the finale, all the big names were at the front trying to win in a sprint. This was supposed to be Mathieu van der Poel's stage, and the Dutch champion did not disappoint, conquering victory in Boulogne sur Mer and also donning the yellow jersey. In the press conference, van der Poel explained that the climbs and the finale were very tough, but despite the fight in the final kilometers, he managed to prevail and win. "No, we didn't do a reconnaissance, so I think the final climbs were harder than everyone expected without knowing them. I was quite at the limit, I just tried to survive the climbs and it became a bit complicated to stay at the front in the last 10 kilometers where there were some attacks. I knew how to wait and hoped everything would settle down, and then in the last kilometer I knew exactly what to do and by staying at the front, I made the difference".

The finale was truly exciting, because besides Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar and Vingegaard were also there, finishing second and third respectively.

"I found myself in the same situation a few weeks ago at the Dauphiné and on that occasion, both of them beat me at the finish line, which says a lot about how tough the finale was. This morning I had a video of the finish and I studied it a couple of times, so I knew what I had to do and I managed to do it perfectly".

Today's stage took place in Northern France, not far from Roubaix and the Flanders of Belgium. "Even today it was a bit like racing in the Classics. It was a very nervous day and we had to fight to stay at the front all day. I think this success came thanks to the entire team effort and yesterday the yellow jersey was Philipsen's, today it passes to me and we'll all enjoy this incredible success together".

Van der Poel has already won a stage and worn the yellow jersey, but in recent editions of the Grande Boucle something didn't work out. Now the Dutchman has returned to winning and wearing the symbol of the race, because there was a different preparation in approaching the Tour.

"Every year we learn how to be in the best possible shape. I believe we tried to copy a bit of what we did in the Classics season, with a period at altitude and then going to the Dauphiné, then returning to altitude before going to the Tour. But I also think that this Tour suits me better and that makes the difference, because there are many opportunities".

Racing the Tour is always a great emotion for Van der Poel, because it is run in the country where his grandfather Raymond Poulidor, a cyclist much loved in France, was born.

"The first year I did the Tour was a bit more emotional, especially because it was the year of my grandfather's death. Now I'm proud to have managed to win again, it's been a while since the last time, so yes, I'm just happy to have finally won my second stage at the Tour de France".