What is the mood at Visma | Lease a Bike after the route change for stage 19? "This is force majeure; the riders didn't complain"

The change to the route was made for good reason. ASO boss Christian Prudhomme explained the decision to French broadcaster RTL. “It's a highly contagious disease (a skin disease, ed.) that affects cows and is common on the farms that the riders would have passed through,” said the Frenchman. “We made the decision after consulting with the authorities. The disease is spread by flies and horseflies, which could easily have carried it into the cars of the organization or journalists.”

Frans Maassen is riding in the team cars on behalf of Visma | Lease a bike. He responded to Sporza about the change to this Tour stage, the last real mountain stage of this Tour, which now covers only 95 kilometers. “Is this a setback for us? In fact, I would say so, yes,” replied the sports director. “But this is force majeure. The organization can’t do anything about it. They don’t make decisions like this lightly in the Tour.”

The Dutch team will now have to come up with something new in their pursuit of the yellow jersey. “We have to accept it. No, it's not race fixing, it's just part of the job. The riders didn't complain. They didn't mind starting an hour later. It is what it is.”

The fact that Tadej Pogacar looks strong will, of course, also have something to do with it. "That too, yes, but it will be a fierce race from the start. It will be a fun race, just like every day has been."

Jonas Vingegaard was also asked about the route change before the start. “No, I prefer a longer stage with more meters of climbing,” said the Dane. But it is what it is; we can't change it. It will be a tough day anyway.” Vingegaard remains combative, despite the gap that the Visma | Lease a Bike leader still has to close. “I'll keep trying until Paris.”