Emanuel Buchmann, the only neopro at this year's Tour de France, has taken a surprise result on the tough 11th stage. The 22-year-old from Bora-Argon 18 secured the third place. After winning the German champion's jersey a few weeks ago, today's podium finish is one of the most prestigious achievements for Buchmann.

Six categorized climbs marked the stage’s profile, including the climbs to the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet. Buchmann climbed the Tourmalet in third place, before he secured the stage podium on the final climb. With his success the stage came to a happy end for Bora-Argon 18 after leader Dominik Nerz had to abandon due to illness shortly after the start. Then, the team tactics shifted immediately, now completely focusing on stage results - an opportunity that Buchmann took in his Tour debut.

"I'm really happy with the third place but I am also completely tired. It was a super hard stage – throughout most of the day in the attack. It’s just awesome that it all led to the third place for me. I just rode my own rhythm and it went really good. Today, we all had the freedom to ride for ourselves and we all were trying to jump into the group. After a long fight, I then made it. I am very happy and the result is even better," said Emanuel Buchmann shortly after crossing the finish line.

"After Dominik had to abandon, we needed to set new goals. And we switched tactics immediately by giving our riders a carte blanche to go for their own chances. Emanuel simply rode an impressive race. For sure, he went to the limit. But that’s what you have to do if you want to become third in such a tough Tour stage. I believe that he’ll recover well for the coming days. This is a very great success for him and for us as a team. Now we will try to achieve the big goal of a stage victory", comments Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director of BORA – ARGON 18, the success.