Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r) confirmed his lofty potential when he took an amazing solo victory in stage 8 of the Tour de France that finished on the top of the famous Mur-de-Bretagne. Having seen his first attack being nullified by the race favourites, he attacked again under the flamme rouge and held off Daniel Martin (Cannondale) by 5 seconds and the GC contenders by 10 seconds.

Last year Alexis Vuillermoz first aware of himself in the professional cycling world but his performances went largely unnoticed. With a solid domestique performance, he finished 11th overall in the Giro d’Italia and was the key rider that allowed Ag2r to win the teams competition.

Despite those lofty promises, he went largely unnoticed as he headed into his first Tour de France where he was again expected to be the key helper for his leaders Jean-Christophe Peraud and Romain Bardet. However, while the two captains have shown signs of weakness, the lieutenant has been unstoppable in the first part of the race.

Known as a puncheur, Vuillermoz first showed his great condition when he finished third on the Mur de Huy and this naturally made him an outsider for today’s stage which finished on the top of the Mur-de-Bretagne. The climb was less steep than the one in Huy and that opened the door for tactics to come into play. With a combination of excellent legs and a calm head, Vuillermoz came away with the goods and a breakthrough stage win.

"I had targeted Mur de Huy and Mûr de Bretagne," he said. "It was pretty good to be third in Huy. Today, I was prepared for losing and taking risks for winning. I decided to attack twice, firstly in the steepest part, secondly after I had recovered a bit and Chris Froome had accelerated.

"I knew this kind of finish suited me as I am a punchy climber. I haven't been surprised to ride away but it's been hard to stay away. It's been a violent effort. In the first few minutes after I passed the line, I wasn't realizing that I had made it. 

"It's just incredible, I did not really believe it. I just wanted to have a good race and try something. I thought there would be better riders than me today. I wanted to surprise everyone and finally it happened. It was all or nothing for me today.

"The whole AG2R LA MONDIALE team made a big effort to get Jean-Christophe, Romain and me in a good position at the beginning of the climb. I thought of attacking in the harder part of the Mur, I knew the end would be flat. When Froome came back I followed him in order to rest. I attacked again but I did not think I would be the winner.

"I haven't won much in my career, only three races, but it's also only my third year as a road rider after switching from mountain biking. Some people say that I lack confidence but I'm humble with regards to the experience I really have as a road rider. I try to learn the quickest possible. I have good teachers with Jean-Christophe Péraud, Romain Bardet and Christophe Riblon.

"I don't have the talent or the capacity to lead a team yet. I take my chance anytime there's one but I don't count chickens before they hatch [he used the French expression: I don't sell the skin of the bear before I've killed him, ed.]. I'm learning my job slowly but surely. 

"Chris Froome is a great champion. He's a better rider than me. The beauty of our sport is that we can also win riding smartly. I was feeling great and I took my chance at the right time.

"I have a big thought for my dad. He had a great passion for the Tour but he died three years ago. He would have been proud to see me winning a stage of the Tour de France. When I was a kid he took me and my cousins on the road sides to watch the race. My family has always been supportive.

"I also want to thank Daniel Germond who allowed me to join the AG2R LA MONDIALE team, Jean Baptiste Quiclet and Yves Clolus who has been my trainer since 2005. If I am here today It is because of them."