"A rookie mistake. I can't describe it any other way" - Wout van Aert

After an error in calculation Jumbo-Visma wasted an opportunity to win a stage and keep the yellow jersey yesterday, and today they have worked throughout the day to make sure that they'd get it back, successfully. However... A sour taste in the Dutch team's mouth must exist after Wout van Aert celebrated his win in Sancy too early, and finished second.

“A rookie mistake. I can't describe it any other way. The team worked hard all day with only one goal. We really wanted to win another stage. It's all the more painful that I let it slip out of my hands in such a way," the Belgian said in a post-race interview. The whole of Jumbo-Visma worked throughout the day to control the breakaway and to dislodge race leader Alexis Vuillermoz from the peloton, and in the final climb Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic made sure no attacks would get space in the final ascent, and van Aert arrived at the sprint in the right position. 

“I was at my limit on the steep parts of the climb. It is thanks to Jonas that I was still able to sprint for the win at all," he added. Perhaps his top form is not yet in place, causing him to lack the top speed to get ahead of the puncheurs and climbers that surrounded him.

He then described his sprint: "When I passed the Cofidis rider on my left, I thought I was going to push my wheel over the line first." But then he raised his arms before the line and saw David Gaudu pass through the right side. "On an arrival like this you lose the pure speed very quickly. David then passed very quickly. I soon realized that I was making a mistake."

However van Aert had a consolation prize, as he jumped back into the race lead and the yellow jersey, which he will try to defend in tomorrow's individual time-trial. "Tomorrow is the day of the time trial. I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully I will recover soon as it was not an easy day today."

"Tomorrow I will do everything in my power to defend my yellow jersey. Hopefully I can also participate again for the stage win. I have something to make up for," he concluded.