Van Aert, Eenkhoorn and Simmons bite their tongues after Pogacar-style tactic by Wellens: "Didn't take turns pulling, but still attacks"

“It was full gas from the start and pretty chaotic, especially with the crash that Jonas got caught behind early on,” Van Aert analyzed afterward, speaking to Eurosport. “That made our tactics tricky, we wanted to be in the break, but also slow things down so he could get back. It was a bit of a balancing act, but we communicated well. Victor and I were up front, but the gap was kept small, which made it hard.”

That Van Aert was still able to sprint for third place came as a surprise to him. Victor Campenaerts had ridden away behind Wellens to claim second, but despite a tough day and not having his best legs, Van Aert found himself in the group sprinting for third. Julian Alaphilippe won that sprint, with Van Aert in fourth. “You’ve got to be on it constantly, at today’s speeds, even a gap of 20 or 30 seconds is hard to close.”

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Speaking to VTM, Van Aert admitted that Wellens was strong in the breakaway, “but especially sneaky.” “I think we rode a good race, but Tim didn’t ride at the front, at least not that I saw. I’m not sure if he took any pulls once that group broke away. That’s racing, it’s a tactic, saying that Pogacar is behind it. It worked today, although I think it will only work once. I’m disappointed, but I can’t blame myself. I gave everything, and the guys who finished ahead of me were at least as strong. Hats off to them.”  

“Almost 46 kilometers per hour average again,” sighed Eenkhoorn to NOS. The Dutch rider from Soudal-Quick Step also made the move, but saw the warning signs early. “I was already worried when we broke away and I said to Wout: what do we do about Wellens? He got to sit in for the first 80 kilometers and he’s such a strong rider. This was a perfect gift for him.” Reflecting on the grueling day: “At one point, we were riding at the front for 80 kilometers with only a 40-second gap. I really lost faith then, but I think a lot of guys did.”

It wasn’t just Van Aert and Eenkhoorn who noticed Wellens riding along without contributing Quinn Simmons also made his opinion clear afterward when speaking to NBC. “There was absolutely no cooperation in the breakaway. Some high-level tactics were at play today, but it is what it is. Wellens rode strong, and everyone knew this was how it was going to end. I do think it’s a strange tactic to skip turns at the front and then still attack, but it worked out for him today.”

On ITV, the American champion was also very honest about Wellens. However, this time it wasn’t about tactics, but rather the help the Belgian may have received. “It was a perfect moment with the motorbike when he attacked. Didn’t you see the live footage? It’s happened several times in this Tour. Sometimes it works in your favor, often it helps someone else. Everyone knows it, so you just have to be the first to take advantage of it.”

For Van Aert, Eenkhoorn, and Simmons, there was nothing left to do but catch their breath and sweat it out. Meanwhile, Van Aert, riding for Visma | Lease a Bike, had one more special occasion to mark: the birthday of his son Jerome, who turned two on Sunday. Van Aert raced with a birthday message for his son on his race number and planned to celebrate with his family that evening. “I hope we can still have a nice evening, especially with the rest day tomorrow.”