I’ve never been so stressed in my life, says Impey MyZA

Daryl Impey and son, Ayden. Photo: Whit Yost

In Daryl Impey’s latest blog entry he says the following: “I’ve never been so stressed in my life, because I knew I could write history”. This is what he wrote:

What an amazing day! I can’t believe this am when I woke up that I actually have the Tour de France yellow jersey right next to me!

It’s on my side of the room this time and I’m so lucky to be able to wear it today. This was an amazing team effort from all of Orica-GreenEDGE but a huge thanks especially to Simon Gerrans who passed on the jersey to me yesterday. It just shows how much he appreciated my efforts the first days and how we operate as a team.

Simon came and said to me, “it doesn’t matter if I’m 2 or 3 days in yellow, I will drift on the Montpellier stage and give you a chance to wear it for all your help as I wouldn’t be in yellow either if it wasn’t for you”. That made my heart race, the thought of even wearing the yellow jersey was just thrilling.

I have never been so stressed in my life, maybe because I knew I could write history and be able to wear the jersey for the first time ever.

We headed to the podium, I changed in the change rooms, waited for them to call me up – and then to see such a massive crowd and get such a amazing applause, I couldn’t stop smiling, I have always wanted a lion too which I will be given to my son Ayden.

It was so emotional and a day I would never forget. What made it more special was my wife, her mom Janet, and son were there to see it as well.

I had roughly 35 interviews in the day and it was a long but enjoyable process, I don’t mind talking about being in yellow that’s for sure.

I got to the hotel and shared some champagne with our team owners and managers and with my family, then got on the massage table, ate dinner, tried to sleep but couldn’t from all the excitement, but today I feel on top of the world and ready to defend a day in yellow.

Thank you South Africa for all your support and please keep it coming. I hope you are all enjoying this moment as much as I am.

– Daryl