Felix Gall earns 3rd place in Tour de France’s 5th stage and claims best climber title
“It was the first big mountain stage and I’m happy to have got my legs back in good shape, after all the work I’ve put in to get in shape for the Tour de France. In the first two stages, I wasn’t at my best. Being in the breakaway today gave me hope of going all the way. However, the group was big and we found ourselves playing for points in the mountain classification, because we knew that there were some dangerous riders in the general classification and that the peloton wouldn’t let us get away. We were surprised by the gap, which meant we could aim for a stage win. It didn’t make much difference, though, as I ran out of energy 500 metres from the summit of the Col de Marie Blanque to keep up with Jai Hindley. I then found my rhythm to get to the top, but I’m completely drained. I’m really satisfied with the day. There were three of us from the team up front and Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Clément Berthet did an incredible job. I’m happy to be wearing this polka-dot jersey, even if I know it won’t be easy to keep it. Starting tomorrow, there are some ‘big’ points at stake and it certainly won’t be our strategy to go off in the breakaways to defend it.”
German cyclist Felix Gall secured a commendable third-place finish in the fifth stage of the Tour de France and became the best climber of the event. After facing initial challenges in the first two stages, Gall expressed his satisfaction with his regained form. “It was the first big mountain stage and I’m happy to have got my legs back in good shape, after all the work I’ve put in to get in shape for the Tour de France. In the first two stages, I wasn’t at my best,” Gall stated.
Joining the breakaway group in the mountainous fifth stage, Gall had hopes of a stage win. However, he acknowledged the competition from other riders in the general classification and the peloton’s determination to prevent their escape. Despite this, Gall and his teammates, Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Clément Berthet, played a pivotal role during the race. “There were three of us from the team up front, and Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Clément Berthet did an incredible job,” Gall praised.
Gall’s performance wasn’t without its challenges, as he struggled with energy in the final kilometers of the stage. “It didn’t make much difference, though, as I ran out of energy 500 meters from the summit of the Col de Marie Blanque to keep up with Jai Hindley. I then found my rhythm to get to the top, but I’m completely drained.” Despite exhaustion, Gall’s determination pushed him to complete the climb.
A notable achievement for Gall was earning the polka-dot jersey, awarded to the best climber. Although aware of the difficulties in maintaining his title, he expressed his happiness at wearing the prize. “I’m happy to be wearing this polka-dot jersey, even if I know it won’t be easy to keep it. Starting tomorrow, there are some ‘big’ points at stake, and it certainly won’t be our strategy to go off in the breakaways to defend it.”
