"I’ve fulfilled a childhood dream" - Neilson Powless takes polka-dot jersey on stage 1 of the Tour de France

In and amongst all the drama and excitement of the opening stage of the 2023 Tour de France, Neilson Powless impressed, taking the first polka-dot of the race.

"The Tour de France is the biggest bike race in the world and I grew up watching it, with the polka dot jersey always riding at the front of the race. Now I get to wear that jersey. I’ve fulfilled a childhood dream," said the delighted American post-race to the Tour de France's official website. "We knew it was a possibility, yet not an easy one as we needed many things to come together. The break had to be caught ahead of the Vivero climb, and then we had to get me in a good position to sprint at the summit. My DS had told me that whoever went first into the final few hundred meters of the climb would get away with the KOM points, so I hit the head of the group very early and maybe caught more wind than necessary… Yet it is worth it."

"This polka dot jersey might become a goal from now on, but as of now I will just enjoy it for as long as I have it. I feel in really solid shape right now," continues Powless. "It took me a while to recover after a heavy Spring. I spent several weeks at home with my wife, and on an altitude training camp. Now I’ve found back my best shape, just in time for the Tour de France."

It wasn't all good for Powless and EF Education-EasyPost however as team leader Richard Carapaz crashed hard alongside Movistar Team leader, Enric Mas. "It’s been a mixed day for the team because of Richard Carapaz’s crash. I’m happy he got back on the bike and managed to finish the race. I hope he is okay because he is an amazing rider and can do a lot of things in this race if he is not too harmed."