Ryder Hesjedal defied many expectations on the climb to the Tourmalet for the finish of stage 17, attacking out of his group to take fourth on the stage and move up to eighth on the general classification.

“It’s unreal,” he said after the stage. “I knew I had good legs on the rest day and wanted to do a good showing today. Job done!”

When asked what went through his mind as the final attack went, he replied that he resisted the urge to try to follow and instead ride his own race.

“Those guys went and everyone wants to follow but I was just content to be around guys that were close to me. I stayed in the group there and felt good in the last part and gave it everything.”

“I feel like I’m getting stronger so a few more days and we’ll be happy in Paris!”

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