"That he could finish it off like that in a head-to-head battle with Tadej Pogacar..." - Nothing but praise for Wout van Aert from Visma teammate

Wout van Aert is a rider that receives a lot of criticism and commentary throughout the cycling season, often in the negative form. However after stage 21 of the Tour de France the Belgian rider became a stage winner at both Grand Tours raced so far this year, and he did so in style by being the first rider this year to directly drop Tadej Pogacar with an attack.

"He'd had his sights set on it for a long time. You could sometimes see him on Veloviewer not looking at the next day's stage, but secretly at this final stage. That he could finish it off like that in a head-to-head battle with Tadej Pogacar... Not many riders have pulled that off in recent times," a happy Tiesj Benoot had to say in Paris to Sporza.

Visma had to endure an often very complicated Tour, not only for their need to deploy aggressive tactics to put UAE Team Emirates - XRG under pressure, but also with the team being under a magnifying glass throughout three weeks, with each of their tactics being commented on intensely.

Benoot himself, a classics specialist, arrived in Paris and did not play a role in the team tactics on what was perhaps it's most glorious of days at the Grand Boucle, and crossed the finish line 7 minutes after his teammate. Victor Campenaerts helped van Aert with positioning whilst Matteo Jorgenson's attacks helped wear out Pogacar ahead of van Aert's attack.

Benoot was very happy for his teammate and compatriot - although there will be a split at the end of the year, with Benoot likely to join Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. "Wout deserves it immensely after all the bad luck and criticism he's had to deal with".

"It shows what a champion he is that he can finish it like that. Many riders abandoned their nutrition plans on Saturday, while Wout was still weighing his food. He's incredibly resilient. You don't need to spend many more words on that," Benoot assures.