Van Aert didn’t have the legs, but already looks ahead to Montmartre: "Hopefully Pogacar doesn’t go for it"

After the finish, Van Aert spoke to Sporza, indicating that he was not in top form on the day. “It was another tough start,” said the Belgian. “It took a long time for the right breakaway to form. In the first part of the race, I didn't have the legs I hoped for. I tried, but I wasn't fast enough to stay with them.” In the end, Matteo Jorgenson did manage to stay with the group at the front.

With 60 kilometers to go, Van Aert made another attempt to close the gap. “We weren't far behind on the steep climb, and I knew the race would explode again,” he explained. “I joined a nice group, but we were riding in no man's land because there were more riders with teammates at the front than riders who wanted to make the jump.” The breakaway was unsuccessful, and he rejoined the peloton safely.

That was not the case for everyone in the peloton. There was still a fierce battle for the top spots, and there was even a crash in the last kilometer. "It's strange that they still take so many risks for a top spot, but it is the biggest race in the world. You have to expect that, and there shouldn't have been corners in the last 500 meters. The organization is falling short again."

No victory in Pontarlier, but what about Paris? Van Aert is ready for action. “I'm going to give it another try tomorrow. I'm now much more motivated than I was before. I've mingled in a bunch sprint a few times. That worked once, but otherwise, they were easy sprints. Now, with Montmartre, it's more of a classic, although it will be a short, explosive race. But it's something that suits me.”

With the addition of the climb to Montmartre, it is now also a stage that suits yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogacar. “I hope Pogacar doesn't go for it, although that's for personal reasons. To be honest, he doesn't look very motivated anymore. That said, a lot will depend on the weather,” Van Aert thinks out loud.