"Pogacar will want to try something" - Wout van Aert unsure if he can contest stage win and yellow jersey on stage 2 of Tour de France

Stage 2 of the Tour de France sees a double ascent of the Madona di San Luca in Bologna and the general classification could explode on it's steep and heat-affected slopes. Wout van Aert was third in yesterday's stage and could definitely be a contender to take the yellow jersey today, but he doesn't believe he'll have the chance if Tadej Pogacar attacks the final climb.

“I am not fully recovered, but we are off, right. From now on, the intention is to be at the start in the best possible way," van Aert said to Het Laatste Nieuws this Sunday morning in Cesenatico. "What is possible today? Good question. I expect a very tough final. Pogacar will want to try something and the other classification men will have to move along. Then it will quickly become too difficult for me". Frank but realistic words from the Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider who doesn't believe too much in the chance of keeping up with the top climbers on such a steep ascent - something which would already be difficult in prime form.

Van Aert could however survive in one of the chasing groups and then, if it comes back together, aim for the stage win and/or bonifications which could see him rise places. A difficult task, but one that is possible. “In general, it is a slightly less tough stage, but the last two climbs are very tough. I think it will be the climbers who will compete against each other for the victory," he says, taking the Giro dell'Emilia as a good marker, as the Italian race is won by climbers frequently atop the same ascent. 

Mathieu van der Poel himself is not looking to be in the fight for the win today, likely having the same thoughts in mind. "I am already looking ahead, tomorrow is an important day with Jasper Philipsen," he admits at the start this morning. "We have not really touched upon today's stage.”