Pascal Eenkhoorn disappointed with second on stage 18: “Especially after what Campenaerts did for me"

The breakaway survived on stage 18 of the 2023 Tour de France in a thrilling finale. Sadly for Pascal Eenkhoorn, he wasn't the man to benefit, finishing second behind Kasper Asgreen.

When you're in a position like that, you just want to win. Especially after what Campenaerts did for me," the Lotto Dstny rider told NOS in a post-stage interview, referencing his teammate's immensely powerful and ultimately sacrificial turn on the front of the break in the final few hundred metres that ensured its survival to the line.

"He did that without consulting, he just went full towards the last three hundred meters," continues Eenkhoorn. “I was in the perfect position, but I couldn't get over him (Asgreen). Then the strongest wins, but it sucks…”

Perhaps a silver lining for Eenkhoorn will be that at the least the breakaway holding on ensured that Jasper Philipsen was denied a fifth-stage win of the race after having earlier tried to physically block and bully Eenkhoorn out of joining the breakaway.