2023-07-03 20:20:00
Third stage and new frustration for Wout van Aert. The Belgian superstar only took 5th place in the sprint on Monday in Bayonne, where Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck) won. Van Aert was precisely slowed down by a collision with his compatriot, generating a long reflection from the race marshals before Philipsen’s victory was officially confirmed.
The two men touched a few cables from the finish line, ruining the chances of the Team Jumbo Visma rider. “I was well positioned behind Jasper, I wanted to pass him on the right side where I had started my sprint and at one point we bumped into each other a bit and I also hit a spectator on the other side “, detailed WVA at the end of the stage.
Tour de France
The debates of the Tour: Will Van Aert win a single stage?
2 HOURS AGO
“So I lost my momentum and I had to cut my sprint fifty meters from the line”, further cursed the Flemish, who will have to wait to win his 10th stage success on the Tour. “The right side was the most direct, defended the winner of the day, which further consolidates his unofficial status as the current best sprinter. When you’re in the lead, you try to take the shortest route (… ) If the finish line had been straight, there would have been no discussion.”
The palette: Downgrading Philipsen? “He makes a clear sprint”
Compared to yesterday, I’m relaxed
A discussion, so there was one, and it was long. But Wout van Aert, although not necessarily convinced, did not wish to argue or elaborate further. Was Jasper Philipsen’s movement borderline, or even frankly illicit? “It’s hard to say and I also think it’s not for me to judge,” concluded Van Aert to end the debate. Then, as Philipsen reminded us, here it’s the Tour and “no one gives a freebie.”
Overall, the unfortunate hero of this start to the Tour still seemed less annoyed than at the finish of the 2nd stage in San Sebastian, where he took 2nd place on the heels of the surprise winner, the Frenchman Victor Lafay. “Compared to yesterday, I’m relaxed,” even smiled Van Aert. This time, no container smashed on the ground in rage, and no beginning to challenge the Jumbo Visma’s strategy.
From Monday morning, at the start of Amorebieta, the Dutch team had calmed things down, including Wout van Aert. “It makes us laugh, quipped the Belgian. What happens on the team bus is more important than what is said. There is always exaggeration in the media, especially in Belgium. Even if the same Van Aert also slipped: “Jonas might have been able to help take someone back. He was the first to recognize him.” Between the little sticks in the wheels coming from inside this weekend and his clash with his compatriot on Monday, WVA did not see the start of the Tour as rosy as he would have liked…
“I think there will be a little settling of accounts between Van Aert and Vingegaard”
Tour de France
“Cofidis does not have a team dedicated to massive sprinting, but we have confidence in what we can do”
3 HOURS AGO
Tour de France
Renard: “I can play my card on the Tour if I take part in a breakaway”
3 HOURS AGO
1688421612
#Tour #3rd #stage #Jasper #Philipsens #movement #illicit #Hard #Wout #Van #Aert