DUMOULIN TAKES ON SKY

At the Tour de France on stage 11, Dumoulin took the ight to Team Sky. Initially the Dutchman got the gap on the Cormet de Roselend but Thomas pegged him back on the summit inish at La Rosière

Pro: What do you remember of this stage?

TD: That’s on the way to La Rosière. I recognise it immediately. That was a special stage. I was looking to attack Thomas. The result wasn’t a stage win, but I was quite proud of myself and the team. There was this little tune in the media that the team was too weak. What this ride showed was that we had balls and that we were riding well together. I liked the fact that we were almost able to finish the race like that.

Pro: And so it turned into a duel with Thomas. Was this different to when it comes to men such as Froome, Vincenzo Nibali or Nairo Quintana?

TD: Yes, it’s slightly different. I wasn’t sure what to think about how the rest of the race would go. I expected him to hold on to yellow for a long time, but at the same time I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had cracked. If it were Froome, I would have been astounded if he were to break while in the leading position. That was a more plausible scenario for Thomas. But I never underestimated him during the Tour, not even for a second.

Pro: After this stage you told the emotional story about your late uncle [who taught Dumoulin to ski at La Rosière]. Those memories, during such an important time in the race, must surely have made an impact. It wasn’t some pre-planned media stunt, right?

TD: No, no. La Rosière is a very special place to me, because of the many winter holidays spent there with the family and that uncle. His passing deeply affected me, but even more so for my father. That is why I chose that race to try something a little crazy. And it almost worked. The memory of my uncle did help me a little to get through that day. I wouldn’t have had the guts to attack on that descent otherwise. I thought: I’ll just try it.