Visma | Lease a Bike mastermind proud of team execution in Rouen: "Vingegaard heads into time trial with hidden edge"

Victor Campenaerts in particular ripped the peloton apart leading up to Rouen, after which Tiesj Benoot and others deliberately eased the pace. Why? “This was a stage where we knew if Tadej attacked on the steepest part, it would be tough for Jonas. He countered very well, and that was after a really strong team performance,” said Niermann.

“We executed our plan very well, and again we saw a very strong Tadej Pogacar. It was impressive that Jonas could follow him on the climb. It was right on the limit for Jonas, but also for Tadej. He had to ease up as well,” analyzed the German, who also noted that the balance of power in this Tour was once again clear. “When those two go, no one else can follow.”

What feeling prevails now within the yellow and black squad? “We were in the fight for the stage win, but ultimately finished third. The guys did really well and executed the plan perfectly, but UAE was also very strong. Of course, we would have liked to win, but they had other ideas. Hats off to how they played it, a deserved victory,” Niermann complimented their rivals.

On the other hand, it’s certainly encouraging to see Vingegaard able to follow his Slovenian rival on those steep climbs. “We’ve had Tours before where Jonas came up short on bonus seconds, we know that. It’s nothing new because in that area, Tadej is the best in the world,” the Visma | Lease a Bike sporting director acknowledged.

Matteo Jorgenson is also looking good in the overall standings. “It was great that Matteo could attack as well, and we would have liked Wout van Aert to be there too, but he had to let that group with Grégoire go in the final meters,” said Niermann. “Wout was good, but just came up a bit short. What he’ll do in the time trial, you’ll see soon enough. Whether he rides it hard or not won’t make a difference overall.”

Wednesday brings a 33-kilometer individual time trial, where Vingegaard can/should try to make up his eight-second deficit to Van der Poel and Pogacar. The Dane does have one small advantage: both the Dutchman and the Slovenian, as leaders of the general and polka dot classifications respectively, will have to ride in official race skinsuits, while Vingegaard can wear his aerodynamic Visma | Lease a Bike speedsuit.