I’m done. I’ll never come back. That’s what they said. Those are the words I kept hearing after the accident. I’m alive was my reply. That’s what I was grateful for. And if I’m alive, I’m going to fight my way back. So I had my own reply to those who didn’t believe in me, No, I’m not done.
All I need is one big victory to show everyone I’m not done. But life is full of challenges. One of my close friends died last winter. It was heartbreaking. I knew I’m not only doing this for me, I have to fight to come back for all those who’ve shown me support. I’m not done. All I need is one big victory.
Then in Paris Nice this year, I got bronchitis. I couldn’t finish the race. That’s not my style. I don’t like to abandon races. It also meant I had to miss Milan-Sanremo, a race I really want to win again.
But the belief was there. I’m not done.
Just before the Tour, I got that super feeling you get when you’re on form. I finished second at the German national championships and it felt like a victory. I was ready. The hard work already felt worth it.
5 tops tens in the opening stages of the Tour showed I’m ready. I was sixth on stage 7. Then fifth the next day, promoted to third after some relegations.
I was ready for the Roubaix stage. Many riders were scared, but I couldn’t wait. I love the cobbles.
I was leading from the front in the last kilometre. It’s not the best place to be in a sprint but I was focused, calm. I knew I felt good.
When I crossed the line. There were so many emotions. Just pure happiness. You saw I was very emotional in the TV interview afterwards. That was because of everything I have been through in the last three years.
There is no way to show you’re not done than winning at the highest level. This victory is for my friend, he was like my second father. This victory is for everyone who never stopped believing in me.
Photo: ASO/Alex BROADWAY
Header Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
