Péraud leaps to 12th place overall in final Pyrenees day
Jean-Christophe Péraud finished in the group with the race favorites in today’s Tour de France stage to Plateau de Beille and moved up from 19th to 12th overall. His teammates Christophe Riblon and Maxime Bouet were present in the break of the day, making it a good day for the French team.
When the attacks come left and right, Péraud stays cool and collected. “I am very content wit my day. I did a nice race by accompanying the leaders,” Péraud says. He had to deal with a very irregular rhythm over the final dozen kilometers. “They attacked but it was difficult for me put in a longer effort with the headwind, when following in the wheels was so much better.”
His good ride today and his improvement in the overall gives him confidence. “I said at the beginning of the Tour that a top 10 was an objective and that is not over yet.” He has to make up two places in the final week, but knows it can go the other way, too.. “I can have an off-day, we could well see it in Luz Ardiden.” He lost 3’38 on stage 12. “Nothing is decided in the Tour de France.”
Bouet and Riblon were in the break of the day, with the latter hanging for longer. “I went all out today. But now the Pyrenees are over – I will do everything I can to take a stage win in the Alps.”
Riblon had one thing to celebrate. “I am happy for Thomas [Voeckler], who is a friend. “It is great for cycling and French cycling. But if the yellow jersey would have been with AG2R La Mondiale, it would have been even better,” he added with a smile. Riblon gives French cycling the thumbs up. “For the moment maybe there isn’t a French stage victory, but you can’t accuse us of not battling, and we will keep trying until the end of the Tour.”