“Nothing better could have happened to me” – Ewen Costiou emotional after starring in Tour de France breakaway

Ewen Costiou wasn’t meant to be in the breakaway on Stage 7 of the Tour de France. But when the race opened up early, the Arkea – B&B Hotels rider seized the moment, and ended the day as the most combative rider after being in the break with former winner Geraint Thomas.

“At the start, I wasn't the team's chosen rider to break away, but in the end I caught the right wave and found myself in a good group, including Geraint Thomas,” he told the Tour de France official site. “The peloton didn't give us much leeway, but we managed our effort well and accelerated when we had to.”

Costiou surged ahead on the first ascent of the Mur de Bretagne, cresting the climb solo in front of a roaring crowd, “Nothing better could have happened to me. It was an incredible climb, especially in front of my family, my girlfriend and my friends. I'll definitely remember it for the rest of my life.”

It was a full-circle moment for the young rider, who had ridden the same climb years ago as a junior at the start of a stage.

His solo effort didn’t last. After being reeled in by the bunch, Costiou went down in a crash with around 10 kilometers to go. He escaped with only minor injuries, in a crash which also caught out the likes of Joao Almeida.

“I came out of it pretty well, just with a few scratches. It was a great day that will stay with me forever,” he told his team post-stage. “The crowd was pushing me, I've never experienced such an atmosphere, and I gave it my all.”

With Kevin Vauquelin’s strong performances earlier in the race, Costiou said the mood inside Arkea – B&B Hotels remains high, “The start of the Tour de France has been more than successful for the team with Kevin's performance. He's pulling us all up.”