00:00 Actually, I think it's kind of the opposite. Now I'm kind of enjoying it, especially that
00:10 I'm getting a bit better and each test I'm improving and staying nearer the front. It's
00:20 actually motivating me. Before, if you said racing top 10, I wouldn't really be so bothered,
00:29 but now I'm quite enjoying the challenge and each little win. I don't really have what
00:35 would normally have... The patience and the focus it requires for three weeks riding the
00:41 GC is not really in my characteristics. But yeah, like I said, now I'm kind of enjoying
00:52 it and actually thinking about it, it's my first actual time riding GC in the pro in
01:00 proper stage race. So yeah, it's all kind of new and yeah, now, like I said, I'm enjoying
01:08 it.
01:09 OK, next question, Daniel.
01:12 Hi Tom, Daniel, Freeway ITV. Tom, could you just sum up for us from your point of view
01:20 the first week? Good things, things that haven't gone as well as you would have liked. Also
01:32 talk to us about what you have to get out of next week in particular.
01:37 Yeah, of course the start didn't go as I would have liked. I would have liked... Oh, our
01:45 internet is not good. Yeah, obviously the first couple of days were not... Well, the
01:52 first day was not how I had hoped. But I think it's a tricky one. You know, starting a Grand
02:01 Tour, it's not like a perfect, like a one day classic. So you're perfect on the first
02:04 day and then, you know, the first days, the first block of the tour is nine days. So I
02:10 guess that's, I don't know, maybe the longest block I've done. You know, I think eight days
02:17 stage. But yeah, I think in general it's gone pretty well each day, you know, growing confidence
02:26 and yeah, just knowing. Yeah, exploring my limits really.
02:40 And just Tom on the week that we've got coming, do you see it as a week to sort of consolidate
02:45 or is it a week where you think, you feel based on yesterday as well, that you may be
02:49 moving in the right direction, maybe even up the general classification?
02:54 Yeah, I mean, yesterday was a great day. I mean, if I can replicate that again, that's
03:03 fantastic. And yeah, you know, these next two weeks now, there's some pretty tough days
03:11 ahead. So it's going to, and back to back days as well. Three days in the Alps. So it's
03:17 going to be a big test. And this is where, you know, end of week two and then into week
03:23 three is where crack starts showing. My goal is to be consistent, I think. And like I said,
03:31 I mean, now personally in my head, it's becoming more of a challenge and a target to see where
03:39 I can go on GC because I'm quite enjoying it actually. And if that means that I don't
03:44 get a stage win, then, you know, maybe that's the case. But I think I can learn a lot about
03:49 myself if I fully commit to GC now.
03:55 Okay, next question, George Paul.
03:59 Yeah, morning, Tom. George here from GCN. I hope you're doing well. In the race for
04:05 that likely third spot behind Vindegar and Pogacar, you and Carlos are the only team
04:10 with a teammate in that top 10. What sort of advantage do you think that can give you
04:14 over the next two weeks, you know, in terms of team tactics and maybe even sending one
04:19 of you up the road to throw the cat amongst the pigeons?
04:22 Yeah, I mean, for sure, we will have options because of that. But then again, you know,
04:29 we're both quite young and it's relatively... I mean, Carlos has, you know, he's finished
04:39 top fifth or whatever in the Vuelta last year. So he's kind of a bit more used to this than
04:47 me. But yeah, it's not the same as if you had, you know, two experienced GC riders and
04:54 they know their limits. And, you know, if they push a bit far, then they can recover
04:59 the next day or not. So I don't know. We'll see.
05:04 Okay, next question to Andy McGrath.
05:08 Hi there, Tom. Hope you're well. We've had some hot days the last two stages. There's
05:15 expected to be over 30 degrees in the Alps later in the week. I'm just wondering, how
05:19 do you go in the heat? Is it something you prepared for specifically in the last month?
05:26 Yeah, I mean, in the heat, generally I'm okay. If I'm prepared, I've prepared quite well,
05:37 I would say, optimally. But yeah, I've done a few sessions in the heat chamber and things.
05:48 And yesterday I was pretty good. Yesterday was a really hot day. But then again, it was
05:53 kind of, you know, relatively controlled. We could get enough water and things and ice.
06:00 So it's kind of easy to stay cool. If we race full gas, then it's going to be another question,
06:06 I think.
06:07 If I can just follow up. Stage 14 finishes in Morsin. Can you just talk about your connection
06:19 to that place? Because I gather you really like it. And do you know the climb of the
06:24 Juplan well and the descent?
06:27 Yeah, I know quite a few of the upcoming stages. Yeah, it's nice to know roads when you...
06:40 It's nice to race roads that you know, and especially when you're climbing, knowing actually
06:46 how far is the top is one thing, seeing a 2km to go banner, but actually knowing what
06:51 it's like coming up is nice.
06:54 OK, next question. Bram.
07:00 Yes. Good morning, Tom. We heard your coach, Rob Allingworth, talking before the tour a
07:09 lot about the important role of Egon Bernal. Can you tell us how important this role is
07:16 for you and what you can learn from him during this tour?
07:20 Yeah, I think, you know, it's incredibly impressive. Like, Egon came here with a bit of a free role
07:30 unknown kind of what he would be able to do. Now he's not in GC and he immediately switches
07:39 to helping me and Carlos. And yeah, it's quite really impressive, actually, and really quite
07:49 an honour that a guy like him, you know, puts 100% commitment into me and into Carlos. And
07:58 it's a good, he sets a very good example in that sense. He could easily just, you know,
08:04 go, "Fuck this, this is not what I want." And, you know, but he fully committed.
08:13 OK, last question. Daniel again.
08:21 And Tom, you said you're really enjoying this experience and you've enjoyed the last week.
08:25 Is it, would it be premature to say that you're, well, you're thinking about the role that
08:31 Grand Tours are going to play in your future? Is it changing? Are you starting to think
08:37 that these are going to be, because most guys who focus on Grand Tours, it is their main
08:41 focus. Are you starting to change the way you think about them?
08:46 After yesterday, actually, I was thinking that as soon as I finish this race, I'm going
08:49 to be going to try and win them out on bike world, which is not very normal for other
08:54 people I'm racing against. I was thinking that was a bit strange. But I don't know.
09:01 We'll see. That's me in a week's time.
09:04 [Music]
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