What a story! Winner Watson only found out the day before the prologue that he would race in Romandie: "I was out training"

It could not have been any closer, but Samuel Watson won the prologue in impressive fashion at the Tour de Romandie on Tuesday. The Brit from INEOS Grenadiers edged out Ivo Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) by three tenths of a second to take his first WorldTour victory. Afterward, Watson revealed a remarkable story during his flash interview.

"I really didn’t expect this at all, to be completely honest," the Brit began in front of the camera. The win had been anything but planned. "Yesterday I was out training in Andorra, an hour and a half from home, when I got a call from the team. They told me to get to the airport as fast as I could because I’d be racing in Romandie the next day. And here I am, with the win in the bag. It’s pretty special."

Less than 24 hours after that unexpected call, Watson pulled off his first ever WorldTour victory out of nowhere in Romandie. The Leeds-born rider was proud, of course, but during the 3.44-kilometer prologue, one feeling stood out above all. "All I felt was pain. I didn’t even know I had the fastest time until my first interview. That was quite a surprise."

Even after he knew the win was secured, the feeling hadn’t quite sunk in. "Right now, all I feel is pain. I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet. F*ck... to say I’ve taken my first WorldTour victory, and my first win with INEOS, it’s honestly a dream," Watson said, smiling from ear to ear.

The INEOS Grenadiers rider also pulled on the first leader’s jersey of the Swiss stage race, a boost of confidence for the 23-year-old Brit as the week continues. "I came into today straight out of a pretty tough three-day training block, so this really gave me a lot of confidence. We’re heading into the next few stages with belief, and on paper they should suit me well."