'Top 10 was never the plan' - Jordan Jegat on his surprise Tour de France breakthrough

Asked whether he thought he could achieve a top 10 at the Tour, Jordan Jegat said "No, top 10 it was crazy and before the Tour de France I thought about top 20," Jegat said, explaining how his expectations evolved throughout the three-week race. "During the race, I thought about the top 15, and it got better day after day. So finally I finished in the top 10 just one day before Paris," Jegat told Domestique.

The French rider's performance marks TotalEnergies's first top 10 Tour finish since Pierre Rolland achieved the result ten years earlier, though Jegat revealed this outcome wasn't part of the team's initial strategy.

"Before the Tour de France, the manager told me 'please lose time during the first week to go in the breakaway and to try to win a stage'," Jegat exclaimed, suggesting the team had originally targeted stage victories rather than a high general classification result.

Despite his success, Jegat experienced minimal pressure throughout the race, partly due to the media spotlight focusing elsewhere. "I didn't really have any pressure also with the French media because there was also Kevin Vauquelin who was in front of me, so it was good to be the second French rider for me, with the media and for the pressure."

Jegat identified Stage 11 as his breakthrough moment in the race. "It's the first day when I played with the best riders, and this day I thought, maybe I can do that during the whole Tour de France. And it was the change in my mindset that day."

Another strong performance came on the stage featuring the iconic Tourmalet climb. "I finished 13th, but I had been in the breakaway all day and after I finished 13th with the big riders, so it was also a good day," he said.

The Frenchman believes he could have potentially won a stage had he not been focused on maintaining his position in the general classification. "I think it's possible when you are between 10 and 15. It's my place. So I think it's possible to go in the breakaway and to take a win."

However, the risk of such attempts increased as the race progressed. "In the third week, it's different because it's a final for the GC," Jegat explained. "For example, stage 20, when I went in the breakaway, Ben O'Connor [rode] in the bunch to catch up to me."

Jegat hopes his unexpected success will lead to greater team support for his development as a GC rider. "Now I want to try to do better because now my team and I know that I can do that."

His cracking result has undoubtedly raised expectations for his future Grand Tour endeavours, with the rider himself expressing pride in proving his capabilities. "Before the Tour de France, there were not a lot of people who said he could manage that, so I'm very proud of that and to show my talent at the world."

"I think it's my best race for me. The level is very hard, but yeah, I love this race. I think it's my race that I prefer just after the Tour," Jegat said when discussing the Itzulia Basque Country. The 26-year-old from Brittany, who finished sixth in the final stage of this year's Basque Country, believes the race's characteristics suit his abilities perfectly.

"This race and the atmosphere is crazy, the climbs are not very long, it's a lot of short climbing, and it's really good for me," Jegat explained. "I think I can be better in this race, but maybe it's too early for me, for my shape, but I will try to be better this year."

When asked about targeting a top-five finish in the Basque Country, Jegat responded cautiously but positively: "Maybe I can try."

Looking further ahead to 2026, Jegat outlined broader ambitions that include general classification and jersey competitions in Grand Tours, though he acknowledges the current dominance of riders like Tadej Pogačar.

"Of course, the best goal is the total defence for the GC or for the stage win. Maybe one day for the polka-dot jersey. But now it's again difficult with Pogacar and the top riders," he admitted.

Beyond the Basque Country, Jegat identified several other races where he hopes to make his mark. "For next year, it's the Tour de France but also the Basque Country, Dauphiné and Paris-Nice maybe," he said.