"I was super nervous" admits Giro champion Tom Dumoulin (+ behind-the-scenes video)

Tom Dumoulin, who yesterday became the first Dutch rider to win the Giro d'Italia, said that he experienced "the most nervous moments" of his life as he waited to learn whether he had done enough to take the race lead from Nairo Quintana at yesterday's closing stage in Milan.

> Tom Dumoulin becomes first Dutch winner of Giro d'Italia

It was a thrilling conclusion to the race, which saw the maglia rosa change hands after the final stage for only the third time ever, and also produced the second closest podium in the 100 editions of the race, with just 40 seconds separating the Team Sunweb rider from third-placed Vincenzo Nibali.

In the press conference afterwards, Dumoulin looked back on his historic victory and reflected on what it means to be a Grand Tour winner, among other things. Here's what he had to say.

Yesterday's time trial

“When I crossed the finish line, everyone congratulated me. I was celebrating my victory but in the tent, I saw there were only three seconds difference between Nairo Quintana and myself. I became angry with everyone who congratulated me. I was super nervous. I’ve had the most nervous moments of my whole life.

Dealing with doubt

“You’re never sure of winning, you always doubt. I think everybody does. I wasn’t really nervous at breakfast. I was happy with my night before this time trial considering the stress. The recce was good, I had a mattress to relax on at the back of the bus.

At lunch I was nervous, my metabolism was really high in the bus. But I could always stay focused. I’ve done a lot of TTs under pressure before. That experience paid a lot today.

Combining time trialling with climbing

“I’m not the first TT rider who can do well in the mountains. Miguel Indurain is five steps ahead of me. There are guys like Bradley Wiggins, but I don’t want to compare myself to anyone. It’s just an amazing day. I’m really happy. I was never a bad climber. I always had that in me.

I never trained in the hills really when I was young. There are no long climbs around Maastricht. But now I do more training camps in the mountains, in Tenerife and Sierra Nevada. I’ve also made a switch mentally. I suffer more now. I didn’t lose much weight, I’m maybe two kilos lighter than I was three years ago.

*That* natural break

“The hardest stage of the Giro was three days ago when they attacked me in downhill. After the intestinal troubles I had, I knew I would have some food problems. The good thing is that on a bad day like that I lost only one minute. I had the experience of losing much more at the Vuelta. I stayed calm and I limited the losses this time.

No superhero

Everything was very quick after the finish so I can’t realise what’s happening in the Netherlands now, but I will always stay the same person. Maybe people will approach me differently, but I really hope I can walk around in Maastricht without being treated like a superhero. I can ride my bike fast but I also want to keep having a normal life.

It’s amazing when you see all the names on the [endless] trophy. It’s an honor to be part of this long list of champions. I don’t feel myself like a champion, but I almost feel like it when I see my name on the trophy. It’s very special.

Jan Janssen was the first Dutchman to win the Tour and the Vuelta, I’m the first Dutchman to win the Giro. I hope for more in the future but for now I’m just happy to be here. The Giro victory is not going to change my whole life. I hope to stay the same person with the same character. I won a very special race."