Poitiers (AFP)

The Tour de France 2020 of the Australian rocket Caleb Ewan is "already a success" after two stage successes in addition to the three of the previous edition, he savored Wednesday by taking the defense of Peter Sagan, downgraded for a shoulder to Wout van Aert in the final sprint.

Q: After two stage successes, can the green jersey become a goal?

A: "I don't want to be too greedy… No, I'm kidding. It was not my goal at the start and I think it's too late because the others have already taken points in the intermediate sprints (it is 88 points behind the leader, Sam Bennett, editor's note). In a few years, I will maybe start. Five stages for my first two years on the Tour de France, it's already a success. For now, I do not not regret (to leave aside the classification by points, note). I already have a lot of pressure to win stages ".

Q: Was Peter Sagan's sprint regular?

A: "We're all caught up in the action right now. We don't think about safety, we think about crossing the line first. I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt anyone. either. I think we are all at the limit to try to win a stage of the Tour. Nobody thinks about safety or braking. Peter saw the space, he had even already engaged his handlebars when he was a little shaken. It looks worse on TV than it does in real life. In fact it cost him the victory, if he could have passed without a problem, I think he would have won. It's the sprint, it's like it".

Q: What are your memories of your stay in France as a young runner?

A: “As a young Australian, the Tour de France was the only race I watched. And when I wanted to make a career, France was the obvious destination. I stayed two months, I can't say that I enjoyed this whole time. Because the person I was staying with offered me croissants every morning. And after two months, I got pasta and it wasn't very good. I'm not sure I had it. left a good impression. But this experience hardened me. I was only 16 or 17 years old, I was far from home in a place where no one spoke English. It allowed me to understand what It was necessary to become a pro runner. Since then I spent more and more time in Europe and maintained I live there all year round (in Monaco, editor's note). It was an experience that was difficult at the time but helped me a lot afterwards ".

Interview at a press conference

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