"When Pogacar attacked, I wasted too much energy" - Battling Pogacar and Van Aert, Davide Ballerini almost provides shock of the Tour de France

Davide Ballerini had a few rough years after leaving Soudal - Quick-Step but over the past few months he seems to have found his best legs against at XDS Astana Team. He was the unexpected biggest rival to Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar on the final stage of the Tour de France, and laments not having been able to take what would be a career-changing victory in Paris.

Ballerini suffered a crash on the opening week of the Tour which kept him out of contention for a few days, but really came into form on the final week, sprinting to fifth place on stage 17 of the race and racing aggressively trying to get into breakaways. However he would play all his cards to perfection on the final day of the race, in the wet cobbles of Paris.

The classics specialist was part of the front split on the first ascent to the Butte Montmartre and then had the legs to make it into the leading group when Tadej Pogacar attacked the second time around. He had the legs to be in contention for victory, but there was still one more ascent to go.

Ballerini was not far from hanging on to the pace of the leading two, but couldn't follow Pogacar and Van Aert in a nuclear ascent of the Montmarte for the final time. Together with Matej Mohoric the two worked to bring back Pogacar, but Wout van Aert was still ahead. Ballerini won the sprint for second place, a brilliant result but one that had him bang his bars over the finish line as a victory would've changed everything.

"I have mixed emotions. On the one hand, I gave it my all, but on the other, I came really close to victory. I felt great, my legs were working great, and I was ready to fight," the Italian told Eurosport after the finish line. "When the decisive attacks came, I was there. Perhaps, during the penultimate climb, when Pogacar attacked, I wasted too much energy, and on the final lap, when Van Aert moved, I found myself short."

The Italian was also close to saving the Tour for Astana, who lacked the hoped results throughout the three weeks. “Anyway, I think I did everything I could and that in the end the strongest rider won".

"This Tour didn't go as I hoped for me: the crash I was involved in in the first week sidelined me for a long time. I'm happy to have recovered in time for the final stages and to have been able to fight for important results. In any case, it was nice to be at the front on this final stage and to fight for the victory, as well as to finish on the podium.”