"Do I really not understand race tactics anymore?" - Armstrong and Hincapie critical of Wout van Aert's breakaway exploits

Rather than being by the side of his Maillot Jaune-wearing teammate at the 2023 Tour de France, Wout van Aert has consistently been trying to get himself into breakaways. This tactic had completely confused the disgraced Lance Armstrong and George Hincapie.

On their podcast, The Move, the pair have been discussing all things Tour de France. One of the latest hot topics has been the tactics of Jumbo-Visma and the role of van Aert. “Do I really not understand race tactics anymore? If you have the yellow jersey in the squad and you are able to slip in with a good breakaway, why bother doing all the work?” Hincapie questions, full of confusion.

On stage 15, van Aert was one of the driving forces of a breakaway and eventually finished second on the stage behind winner Wout Poels. "It wasn't his responsibility," Hincapie stresses however. “Why do you have to start that final climb with a seven or eight minute lead? It should have just glided along, from wheel to wheel. Why would you work more on the road than the other escapees, if you go for the stage victory? Wout Poels was super strong, but still… Van Aert could have given himself more chances for the stage victory.”

“Whether it's in the professional peloton or in a group of friends: there is always one rider who rides hard in all circumstances. Van Aert is such a rider," adds Armstrong. "Had he won yesterday, it would have been a huge win. You can say a lot about him, but not that he is a pancake. Wout Poels put that very well after the stage.”