"I gave it my all and this was the result" - Wout van Aert into podium contention at the Volta ao Algarve after stage 4 ITT

After his stage win on Friday, Wout van Aert had to settle for 11th on the stage 4 individual time-trial at the 2024 Volta ao Algarve.

"It was hard, I could feel that," reflected the Team Visma | Lease a Bike star post-stage, having priorly said that he hadn't done many time-trial kilometres in preparation. "It's not even an excuse, it's everyone's job to prepare to the fullest and it was a well known decision so no regrets. I gave it my all and this was the result."

Van Aert's Belgian compatriot, Remco Evenepoel was the man who took the win on the day, assuming control of the general classification in the process. In the GC, van Aert now sits in 4th, just six seconds off the podium and his teammate, Jan Tratnik.

"I'm not disappointed but towards the Giro, I will focus more on this and getting used to the position," he concludes. "I think I liked it today, it was a good test but I still need to improve."