Bob Jungels happy with successful Tour de France and return to top step

Bob Jungels has finished the Tour de France in 12th place, outside the Top10 but with a performance that resembled his best days at Quick-Step where he developed as a stage-racer due to his climbing prowess.

“I am happy to have finished this Tour de France, without illness and without problems, and to be 12th in the general classification with a stage victory as well," Jungels said after arriving in Paris safely, being by far the best performer of the French team throughout the three weeks. "It was a relentless Tour de France, without a moment of respite. You couldn’t crack and had to fight".

Having shown the form at the Tour de Suisse, the Luxembourger rode to a very long and strong solo win on stage nine, saving the French team's race after it's leader Ben O'Connor was forced to abandon. "I will especially remember the Châtel stage, which was an important success for me after everything I had been through," he said. 

"It was not easy to take on the role of leader after the abandonment of Ben O’Connor, but I fought to take up the challenge. I then tried to test my luck, to get into another breakaway, as was the case on the stage to Mende, but I did not succeed," he added.

Through the rest of the race Jungels rode consistently in the mountains, far from the wins but well enough to climb into 12th place by the time the riders entered Paris.