Wout van Aert brushes off another disappointing sprint performance: "It went perfectly until that last kilometre"

After superhuman performances at the last two Tour de France's that brought him six stage wins in 2021 & 2022, Wout van Aert has been left disappointed in his search for victory so far in 2023. This continued on stage 11.

"Due to the slippery conditions, it was important to be in position early and that all went well. It went perfectly until that last kilometre, but then I was overruled," van Aert laments in a post-stage interview with Sporza. "As a result, I was never really able to start my sprint. I lost speed and couldn't straighten it out."

Jasper Philipsen was once again the winner in the bunch sprint, his fourth victory of the race. Not looking to make excuses however, van Aert is instead keen to brush off this latest disappointment and instead move on quickly, targeting the next opportunity.

"I wish I had to be disappointed, but I couldn't even really sprint. I can't say much about it... kudos to Jasper, by the way. It is very good that he wins again and is always in a position to win," he says. "If you look back, there are always mistakes, but yes... then it becomes if, if, if. In this Tour I look at it day by day, so now too."