Van Aert drops early, but Visma | LaB stays positive despite setback: "He felt a bit better"

Before the start, it was already clear that Van Aert would probably not compete for the top spots. "If I feel like I did yesterday, I definitely won't be in contention today," he told Cycling Pro. "I like it a lot; it is a bunchy final, and it is a really tough last 30K, I would say. Usually, it would be a good opportunity for me. I would have preferred to be here in a different situation, but there's still a lot to come in this Giro, and we remain hopeful. I definitely hope for improvement, and that should come gradually. I won't be able to enjoy it myself, but I recommend visiting today's finish line."

Van Aert ultimately did not get a chance to shine in the beautiful city of Matera. Sports director Marc Reef already knew it would not be the Belgian's day. "Beforehand, we had mainly focused on Simon (Yates, ed.). He made a very good impression today and was among the front riders in the final kilometers," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "In that respect, we can end today with a good feeling."

This boosts Visma | Lease a Bike, seeing the 30-year-old all-rounder improve steadily. "He felt a little better during the race. But we kept telling him not to push himself. He got through the first climb well, but as the final progressed, he struggled more. That's why he tried to get Simon into position, which worked out pretty well."

But no matter how you look at it, the Giro has been a disappointment for Van Aert so far. In the first stage, he came very close to the pink jersey, but in the subsequent time trial, it quickly became apparent that this was not the best Wout van Aert we know. "Of course, Wout himself hopes for more. But this is how it is now, and we must be cautiously satisfied with how things went today. He clearly said during the race that he felt better than yesterday without pushing himself too hard. That's a good sign for what's to come."

The pink jersey quickly disappeared out of sight, and the purple one was also an impossible task. It's a matter of adapting and seeing if there are any opportunities later in the race. "He came to this Giro for much more, of course. But now he has to focus on damage control rather than really going for it. That's very difficult for him. But today is a step forward, and we will continue to look ahead with the necessary caution."