Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) captured a surprise win during stage 8 of the 2017 Tour de France, from Dole to Station des Rousses in the Jura mountains. The 24-year-old rider is a huge talent and already won stage 4 in the Vuelta a España last year during his first season in the pro peloton, and captured several victories in smaller stage races like the Etoile de Bessèges, the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe-Pays de Loire and the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali. Of course, this win in the Tour de France is the biggest win of his career so far.
"This is huge. I still can't believe it. Winning in a Grand Tour is very special. I won a stage in the Vuelta but winning in the Tour de France is on another level. It's a dream that comes true. I was able to finish it off. It's unbelievable," Calmejane said.
"Reaching the finish solo was unique. During the last kilometres, I didn't suffer too much. My director sportif has a lot of experience and he told me it was in the pocket and to enjoy. The last few kilometres were extraordinary, very emotional."
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A few kilometres earlier, it seemed as if Calmejane would lose it all as he was trying to fight cramps in his legs and was losing momentum. Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) might have gotten a second chance to reach out for the stage win, but Calmejane managed to get going again.
"After the descent, there was a short climb. I was on a big gear. Then I cramped. It was nearly catastrophic, but I managed to keep riding. It was a spectacle from the first kilometre. You feel that at the end of the day but it was also a mental challenge. You've got to use your head to survive."
The new kid on the block isn't too well known and some said that he's a 'cochon' and has a bit of a bad character.
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