Clément Braz Afonso: "I’ve really enjoyed myself"

June 14 ^th 2026 - 18:17

"I wasn’t thinking about the polka dots at all at the start of the week. Even during my second breakaway, I let Benjamin Thomas take the points. One thing led to another, and I found myself leading the classification; once I had the jersey, I was determined to defend it. This is only my second World Tour season and winning a leader’s jersey at this level and wearing it for almost the whole week is rewarding.

That’s how I’ve tried to approach cycling since I turned pro – by going on the attack – because that’s what I enjoy, what gives me the drive. It allows me to go for the wins, to take risks, rather than just waiting in the peloton. I’ve really enjoyed myself this week.

My dream now is to win a stage in a World Tour race. I hope that by going for breakaways like this, things will eventually work out."