"I knew he was the man to beat" - Victor Campenaerts admits there was nothing to be done about Tim Wellens

Victor Campenaerts wasn't far from winning his second Tour de France stage on Sunday, but one man was too strong for everyone in the front group - Tim Wellens. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider was the best of the rest today, but the second place simply doesn't cut it for the 33-year-old Campenaerts.

"I feel really good this Tour. Today, we wanted to go for the stage win, and it was a good situation with both Wout and myself in the breakaway. But Wellens… We have a good relationship off the bike, but during the race, he’s someone you don’t want around. He’s smart, sneaky, he knows exactly how to play it," Campenaerts told Eurosport after the stage.

Campenaerts has no hard feelings towards his compatriot who played his cards perfectly, although it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth as he would've obviously preferred if their roles were reversed.

"He wasn’t doing any turns, but he was very strong and didn’t miss a single move. He picked the perfect moment, on the highest part of the stage. Coming second isn’t why you race, it’s disappointing. It is what it is. Wellens was really strong, really smart. He didn’t steal anything. I knew he was the man to beat. He’s experienced… but I also heard he’s in love. Maybe that gave him some extra strength," Campenaers laughed.

The result sheet makes it seem like today was another blow for Visma as their two riders were unable to deal with one UAE rider - much reminiscent of the GC situation.

"Wout said, ‘Don’t be disappointed, we did what we could,'" said Campenaerts, who took second place as a consolidation prize for the effort. "He came back into the group and said, 'Campi, go for second place. There are a lot of fast guys here, it’ll be hard in a sprint.'"

His younger compatriot was right as he indeed lost to Julian Alaphilippe in the sprint for third place behind Campenaerts and winner Wellens.