Van Aert pounded his handlebars in frustration as he crossed the line and
Wilco Kelderman admitted in his post-stage interview that a turn from Vingegaard could've made all the difference. According to Niermann however, he is the man that should shoulder any blame and disappointment, not defending Tour de France winner.
"If someone has made a mistake, you have to attribute it to me. My focus is that Jonas has to be in Tadej's wheel. If I don't make the call that Jonas had to ride behind Lafay..." he ponders. "In hindsight it could have been, but I was then convinced that Kelderman and Benoot would close the gap. It didn't work out. We don't draw one card, Wout gets absolute freedom. And it will still work."