The Colombian from XDS Astana Harold Tejada finished in second place in the thirteenth stage of the Tour de France, accepting defeat with sportsmanship: "To win you have to take risks. Mauro was smarter".

Tejada believed in it until the last meter, but in the end he had to surrender. The thirteenth stage of the Tour de France, from Dole to Belfort the longest with its 205 km, ended with the victory of Mauro Schmid, who beat the Colombian in a two-man sprint. A bitter defeat for Tejada, especially because the opportunity was one not to be missed, but the South American rider recognized with great sportsmanship the superiority of his opponent.

"It went pretty well, even though the finish was difficult. It was also difficult to get into the breakaway and on the climb I was at the back. Mauro is simply faster than me", Tejada explained after the finish.

The Colombian tried to play all his cards, holding on until the last 200 meters. "I tried to stay with him until the end. I wasn't far back, but never mind. I'm happy with the result and I'm happy for the team".

The race was decided after a long breakaway and a particularly selective phase, with challenging climbs and a technical descent towards Belfort. Tejada followed Schmid when the Swiss rider chose to attack, sensing that could be the right wheel to follow.

"When Mauro attacked I thought it was a good wheel to follow. To win you have to take risks. He made the right decision and in the end he was smarter".

A lucidity that, however, does not erase the regret. Tejada had already demonstrated in spring that he was in great condition, winning Paris-Nice, and today he had the opportunity to add an even more prestigious victory to his palmares.

"It would have been nice to win, because these opportunities are rare. But the strongest beat me and that gives me confidence. I'm happy with the result".

The second place nonetheless represents the best result of a Colombian rider in this Tour de France and confirms Tejada's growth, now increasingly prominent in major stage races.

"At 250 meters from the finish line no one would have beaten me, but the strongest passed me before", joked the Colombian, who wanted to share the day with his team and his country.

The victory slipped away by a whisker, but Tejada leaves Belfort with one certainty: the condition is there. And after the victory at Paris-Nice and this second place at the Tour, confidence for the next stages can only be high.