Tadej Pogacar "has proven that you should not underestimate him" - Wout van Aert

Wout van Aert has gone all out to support Jonas Vingegaard in the final day of the Pyrenees, the Belgian joined the breakaway and was a key part of Jumbo-Visma's strategy to deal a massive blow in the general classification, but Tadej Pogacar made the team have mixed reactions at the end of the day.

“There was no danger for the standings in the leading group and that gave us a little more margin. Luckily I made it over the Tourmalet to help Jonas. On the final climb I was able to pick up the pace, but I didn't have much left. Then it was man against man," van Aert told Sporza at the end of what was another very difficult and attacked day.

The Belgian joined the day's breakaway, but rode more conservatively today. In return, when the mountains came he was among the best from a strong front group, despite his weight. Van Aert led the breakaway up a lot of the Col du Tourmalet narrowing it down to only five riders, and then waited for Jonas Vingegaard, who had been launched from behind.

“I saw a super strong team and everyone could see that we had a battle plan to go on the attack," he said. The plan worked almost to perfection, but Tadej Pogacar managed to followed the move. Van Aert continued with his initial plan however and paced them to the front of the group, and remained in the head of the group all the way into the steep section of the final climb to Cauterets. "I was afraid I would feel my legs after yesterday, but it wasn't too bad."

"I'm very happy that Jonas wears the yellow," he continued, with Jumbo-Visma still dislodging Jai Hindley from the current lead of the race, however only 25 seconds ahead of the Slovenian. "Tadej Pogacar? He has proven that you should not underestimate him. Even after losing time, he is there again the next day."

Van Aert has proved his great form with a terrific performance, and he will continue to chase a stage win, possibly at tomorrow's stage into Bordeaux which will end in a bunch sprint. "Hopefully I will be in this seat again after a stage win. I've been chasing it for four days and now I've done good business with the GC team for two days."