Wout Van Aert : "I've been feeling very good in the Tour, and the climbing gets better and better as the tour progresses

The fourteenth stage of the Tour de France concluded with the stunning victory of Michael Matthews. Wout van Aert finished in 48th position, 19 minutes and 7 seconds behind the Australian rider.

Pogacar has constantly been looking for a chance to take the yellow jersey back from Jumbo Visma. Pogacar attempted an attack in the first kilometers of the stage. Jumbo-Visma and Jonas Vingegaard managed to neutralize the attack.

Van Aert thinks it was not really an attack from Pogacar, "I don't think it was really an attack," Van Aert told Eurosport. "I think there were about forty riders divided into different groups at the front. When I wanted to make the jump, Tadej was in my wheel. Then we changed positions. I waited for my teammates to come back when Pogacar tried," said Van Aert.

It took a lot of work from Van Aert to bring back everyone in order, "It was a super tough start. When I fell back a bit, there were only classification riders and other strong riders together. From there, it was a fierce battle to get into the leading group," said Van Aert.

However, his work was not done yet. Louis Meintjes was advancing rapidly and got very close to Jonas, threatening his position in GC, so Van Aert came to the rescue and reduced the gap. "I am very happy with my form. For a few years now, I've been feeling very good in the Tour, and the climbing gets better and better as the tour progresses,” said Van Aert.

He continues, "Today, I felt good. I was there, and that was necessary. It was a strong breakaway, which for some reason, didn't play games for the stage win. They kept going full. We had to accelerate a bit to secure the yellow." He holds the 36th position in GC, 1 hour and ten minutes behind his teammate and overall leader, Jonas Vingegaard.