Lotto director defends Tour de France attacker after Alpecin complaint: ‘That’s racing’

It was as brave as it was unusual on Wednesday when Baptiste Veistroffer went clear alone during an almost entirely flat sprinters’ stage at the Tour de France. The day eventually finished with a bunch sprint on the streets of Pau, but the Frenchman’s decision to spend so long ahead of the peloton did not please everyone. That much is clear from comments made by Lotto-Intermarché sports director Mario Aerts.

Veistroffer has been the leading breakaway specialist of this Tour so far. He has now made it into the breakaway twice, attacking again just two days after his long solo move. Once again, it happened during a stage expected to favour the sprinters, and once again he could not prevent the race from ending in a bunch sprint. His efforts nevertheless attracted some mild criticism from within the peloton.

There were reportedly several teams that did not appreciate such an attack, particularly when Veistroffer went away alone. His compatriot Valentin Paret-Peintre could not understand that criticism. “I don’t see who would be bothered by it. I think having a breakaway is good, even if it is only for the spectacle,” the Frenchman said on Friday. “We want somebody up the road, because otherwise we get bored. So I’m surprised there has been criticism.”

Comments made by Lotto-Intermarché sports director Mario Aerts to l'Équipe have now revealed more about the situation. “The sports directors from Alpecin-Premier Tech came over to tell us they were unhappy that they had been forced to ride hard behind him during the stage to Pau,” the Belgian explained. “But that is racing. At the Tour, there are no bad riders. When somebody attacks, you always have to ride hard to catch him.”

Alpecin-Premier Tech also had to lead the chase during Friday’s seventh stage, although the Belgian team never allowed the two breakaway riders to build a significant advantage. “Mads Pedersen told me Alpecin were doing something stupid by keeping the gap so small, because it encouraged other riders to try their luck,” Veistroffer said.

“That’s just how it is,” the Frenchman continued. “There are worse things than riding at the front of the Tour de France.”