Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) pulled off a surprise second-place finish in the eighth stage of the Tour de France, leaving media and fans alike wondering about his intentions. The Belgian rider initially hinted that he wouldn’t participate in the bunch kick into Laval, but ultimately finished on the podium.
Van Aert’s strategy proved effective, as he managed to conserve energy and find himself on Jonathan Milan’s wheel. However, despite being close, he couldn’t find extra speed to overtake the Italian, securing a well-deserved second place.
The Belgian rider was visibly pleased with his result, stating that it was a “clean sprint” and a “worthy winner.” When asked about his participation in the stage, Van Aert quipped that he’d announce his intentions next time on Twitter. This lighthearted comment hinted at his willingness to surprise fans and keep them guessing.
Van Aert’s form is on the rise after an illness-affected run-in earlier this season. He won the ninth stage of the Giro d’Italia before playing a key role in Simon Yates’ emotional GC victory. The Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard expressed optimism about Van Aert’s chances, saying that his second-place finish could be the start of his return to dominance.
With another flat stage arriving tomorrow, Van Aert will look to continue his momentum and secure more results. Will he make another appearance on the podium or post his next announcement on Twitter? Only time will tell.
Source: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ill-announce-it-next-time-on-twitter-wout-van-aert-rediscovers-sprint-form-with-surprise-second-place-at-tour-de-france