A three-times Czech time-trial champion, Jan Barta rode one of his longest efforts in the third stage of the Tour de France between Cambridge and London, joining forces with Jean-Marc Bideau before being caught six kilometers from Buckingham Palace. 

"I really tried to go as far as I could but it was too hard. In the last kilometres, there was nothing I could co when the peloton chased me down. Yet I gave it my all. But I love London for sure," said the NetApp Tour debutant, who took part in the London Olympics road race alongside Roman Kreuziger in 2012. 

"I'll remember that day for a long time. But with only two of us, there were few chances to make it.  Now we have a leader for the GC, Leo Konig, and we're going to do everything to help him out. But I might try to go in another break, this time hoping to go all the way."

Impressed by the Tour atmosphere, Barta still intends to keep playing a role in it.

"You can tell it's completely different, even if I already rode the Vuelta and the Giro. It's another level and the atmosphere is unbelievable, obviously. I'm glad to have been an actor in one stage but there are still many awaiting me in the three weeks ahead," he said