Yara Kastelijn takes her first professional victory: "I knew I would be one of the strongest when the road went uphill"

Yara Kastelijn has booked a formidable victory at the Tour de France Femmes this afternoon. The Dutch was part of the early breakaway that took a big lead, rode away on her own in final of the stage and soloed to comfortable victory in Rodez.

"In the first sprint for the polka dot jersey we took a gap with four riders," the Fenix-Deceuninck rider began her story in an interview for NOS. "Then another group came to join us and it was really just ten minutes of full throttle until we had a minute. That minute turned into ten minutes. They said in my ear: you are clear."

"Thanks to Marthe, who also joined the break, I was able to save myself all day. I think that's why some girls found me annoying. But yes, in the end, victory counts. And I knew I would be one of the strongest when the road went uphill. The team did a very nice job and I am very happy that I was able to finish it."

Kastelijn initially rode away together with Audrey Cordon-Ragot, in a sprint for bonus seconds. "At first I wanted those seconds, because I knew we would keep a lead. Only I didn't know how much. I think I have now moved up nicely in the standings. That wasn't actually the main goal, but it's a nice bonus. This win is just unbelievable."