Wout van Aert frustrated after time trial miss: Can he still chase the maglia rosa?

Simple question: how did it feel? “I gave everything, but I could tell during the time trial that I lacked the power to accelerate out of the corners. That was crucial in this TT. I could feel it wasn’t going to be enough,” Van Aert said. “That feeling hit me around two or three kilometers in. The first kilometer is always okay, but when you need to settle into a rhythm, it got difficult.”

Van Aert didn’t want to use his illness-affected preparation as an excuse. “I tried not to think about that,” he said. “Since the start of the Giro, it hasn’t crossed my mind. I knew this time trial was where I needed to deliver.” And how did he feel afterward? “Disappointed? Yes, absolutely. I had hoped to be much closer to the pink jersey after the time trial, and that’s just not the case.”

“I was able to get over that climb, but really, I had the feeling the whole time trial that it just wasn’t clicking. I lost time everywhere,” said the Belgian, who couldn't yet give a clear answer on whether his dream of wearing the pink jersey was over. “I still need to see exactly where I stand. Roglic has the pink? That’s at least better than if Mads Pedersen still had it. We’ll see if it opens up any opportunities.”

“All in all, the result matched how I felt, I just lacked the power,” Van Aert summarized. “I always give it my all and don’t look for excuses. It is what it is, and today I was beaten by stronger riders. I’m still taking it day by day, so that means we’ll go for it again in the next stage.”