Wout Van Aert has no regrets following stage 15: "I think I handled the stage well, but one rider was simply a lot better"

Wout van Aert could hardly be disappointed after the fifteenth Tour stage. The Belgian tried to increase his chances by arriving to the foot of final two climbs with a small group, but unluckily, another Wout, Wout Poels proved to be much stronger on the day and so the Jumbo-Visma rider had to settle for second place.

"I am quite happy. It was no longer possible for me, Wout did a good job," Van Aert told WielerFlits. "I think I handled the stage well. I took the opportunity to start the final climb with a bit of a lead. Only one rider was a lot better," said the Jumbo-Visma rider.

Van Aert still tried to fight back. "When Poels started, it was much too fast for me. I couldn't afford to blow myself up, so I immediately opted for my own pace. I lingered for a while and hoped to recover after the descent. I didn't want to give up, but I broke first."

Poels naturally weighs a lot lighter than Van Aert. Did that play a role? "No, there are still many riders who weigh twenty kilograms less than myself who were far behind me. I really believed in it, but alas. Even now I still have a lot of morals and I will not give up."