Seven riders from the Cannondale-Drapac team made it to the finish of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday, with Frenchman Pierre Rolland their top finisher in 16th place.

Along the way, they lost two riders – Sebastian Langeveld who pulled out on Stage 10 and Matti Breschel who withdrew on Stage 14.

Below, the seven finishers outline what it means to make it to Paris.

Kristijan Koren – “I’ve done it seven times now. I’ve finished seven Tours. It’s always a happy feeling, but it’s different every time.”

Ramunas Navardauskas – “Did you ever have this feeling when you go away from home and you miss your home and then you come back home? It smells the same and sounds the same and it looks the same. You’re home. It’s the same feeling as Paris.”

Tom-Jelte Slagter – “It’s a big achievement for every rider to make it to Paris. It’s not easy. It’s not certain. A lot of things can happen on the way. Unfortunately we lost two guys earlier in the race. For now, I’m happy to be here with the

Alex Howes – “There’s a feeling of relief, but at the same time, we all wanted a little bit more out of the Tour this year. We had a plan to win on the Champs. It was a long, long shot. By a lot. But it was our plan.”

“We didn’t do it. We didn’t get a stage. And it’s over. It’s done. And you think: ‘Damn, I wish there was a fourth week.’ ”

Dylan van Baarle – “The best feeling of the whole day is when you enter the first time for the laps. Because that first lap, you can really enjoy it. And then it’s full on focus waiting for the sprint.”

Lawson Craddock – “I feel like I was a boy coming into this race and now I have three hairs on my chest coming out of it. I feel like a changed man. This race changes you. I’m coming out a better person, a better cyclist. And I’m looking forward to coming back.”

Pierre Rolland – “What did I fight so hard for? I don’t know – to win, to continue, to respect the Tour. This race is my life. I work one year to be ready for this. It’s not possible that I don’t fight until the finish.”

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