Foix (AFP)

Julian Alaphilippe, who showed early signs of weakness on Sunday but kept his yellow jersey, admitted he had "paid the effort" in his first two weeks. "I was expecting it," he reacted after the 15th stage of the Tour de France.

Q: How do you explain this complicated step on the finale?

A: "It's a tough day, I was expecting it, I'm not disappointed, I'm just completely exhausted, it's no surprise to me to crack the best climbers after the last two weeks and everything I gave, I had already drawn a lot from my reserves Yesterday (Saturday), I left so much juice to do the step that I made, I really surprised myself. There was not much more to do, all that I did, I start paying for it, and that makes sense. "

Q: Do you regret trying to follow Thibaut Pinot on his first acceleration in the last climb?

A: "Certainly, we can always do the race again, I could not have gone, I felt good when I went there, I felt less good a few kilometers later." Defending a yellow jersey I do not think I made a mistake, we managed the race well and the stage did a lot of damage to everyone. What hurts me the most is not a particular moment, it's the last two weeks. "

Q: Does this jeopardize your yellow jersey for the future?

A: "I run as I like to run, with the yellow jersey, there are inevitably responsibilities and I have been defending them for several days now.The high mountains are just beginning, in the Alps it's going to be a big job. (Sunday) is the proof that we can not be everywhere, I fought with what was left in my legs to keep the jersey because I'm very proud to have it on my shoulders. I'm a little bit of the potential winner, because I've been in yellow for ten days, but I'm realistic about what's ahead of us, and the ambition to win the Tour is not to come with the rain today, it does not change anything. "

Q: How do you envision the next few days?

A: "I'm going to try to recover a little, a day of rest in yellow is not really a day of rest with solicitations. (Next) Every day will be important, but I repeat, it's only bonus for me, it's one more day in yellow, I do not make plans, if I continue wasting time, it will not be a disappointment, do not ignite, I'll just enjoy of what's happening to me right now. "

Q: What do you think of the Pinot form?

A: "He really showed that he was one of the strongest favorites, he's coming in a third week that sticks to his skin, which suits him well, in a good state of freshness.If I have to lose the jersey I would like him to be the next one to wear it. "

Interview in mixed zone and press conference

© 2019 AFP