Wearing the Belgian national champion jersey, Tim Wellens secured his first Tour de France victory and the fifth for UAE Emirates, following Pogacar's 4 successes. Today's victory came similar to the Belgian Championships, when Wellens surprised everyone by taking his title after a long solo breakaway.

The Flemish rider had already won two stages at Vuelta and two at Giro, and with today's success, he has now achieved the triple crown of stage wins in the three grand tours. "It's a truly special victory. I believe everyone knows the Tour de France, everyone wants to race it, and not many win stages. So it's a beautiful victory, achieved through a lot of experience".

After the finish line, the Belgian was clearly proud of his victory, conquered solo after 42 kilometers - a true marathon to the finish. "I did what I felt I needed to do. I felt great today. Before the stage, Niels Politt and I were joking that we would go on a breakaway. Then there was a big crash and I hope everything went well. So I found myself in front and on the last climb of the day I felt really good. I saw the others were doing well too, but I knew I had to go alone. At the top of the climb, I found my moment and felt I had the legs to go and stay away until the end. I knew I had to do it alone. Today I had my opportunity and I seized it because I had the legs to make it to the finish".

At the start of the Grande Boucle, Wellens, like the rest of UAE Emirates, had said he was here to help Pogacar and that his job was to give everything for the team leader. Today, however, Wellens raced for himself and showed that there can also be some freedom in the team.

"I had the opportunity to try to win and I succeeded, but obviously I traded my victory directly for the yellow jersey for Tadej in Paris". The Belgian faced a long solo ride to Carcassonne, with his only thought being a Tour victory to complete his success in all three grand tours. "By winning, I knew I would complete a beautiful trilogy, finally completing my three-race victory with Giro, Tour, and Vuelta. So I knew I had to enjoy the moment. I kept pedaling to the finish line because I wanted a significant gap to fully enjoy what was happening and maybe raise my bike high after the finish line".

Wellens' joy and emotion could be read in his smile and then in his embrace with all the team members. "I was extremely emotional. And I was so happy that I forgot to raise my bike after the finish line. I just forgot to do it".