Tim Wellens was all smiles after his coup in the sixth Eneco Tour stage. "Just like last year I've won the queen stage, but this one is even better", said the new leader.

The sixth stage turned into a survival of the fittest with Wellens placing his decisive assault with just over 29 kilometres to go.

"Pain is not so bad if you're the best", Wellens smiled. "At first I wanted to get the nine seconds of the Golden Kilometre, but I also planned to carry on.

“This victory gives a lot of satisfaction of course. Logically, after the Tour de France I started with doubts in the Eneco Tour, but the legs felt very good during the first days. Thursday’s time trial and yesterday’s stage, where I raced in front together with André [Greipel], were a good confirmation of that.

"I knew the course very well because I had done a recon of this stage. This morning, it was our intention to give full gas with the team in the beginning of the two local laps, but yet at the first ascent of the Saint-Roch the speed was so high that only a few riders were left at the front of the race.

"Entering the finale, we were with nineteen riders and many attacks occurred. I focused on Van Avermaet and Gilbert and I had the impression that Kelderman was watching me."

Wellens built his gap little by little.

"The flatter final ten kms were tough, but fortunately I made it. This is really encouraging after an average Tour. Initially I didn't feel great but I improved along the way.

“After my attack, it was a matter of keeping the pace high. Our SRM wattage meter is perfectly fit to do so, but the most important thing was to persist the physical effort. I constantly tried to gauge my efforts. 

"Just like last year I've won the queen stage, but maybe this one is even better."

Tomorrow Wellens starts with a 1'03" lead on Van Avermaet and 1'17" on Kelderman.

"I'm pleased my gap is bigger than it was last year. It's still a tough stage, but I can count on a very strong team.

"The closing stage looks different than the final stage last year. Then it was a hilly stage without cobbles, now we have to ride a little Tour of Flanders. On the other hand, the gap with the second rider in the GC is now bigger compared with last year.

"And I can count on a very strong team that is made for such stages. Greipel counts for three, Sieberg and Benoot for  two and also Debusschere and Broeckx are experienced on cobblestones.”