"Beyond understanding!" : This columnist for Équipe du Soir was utterly stunned by Wout van Aert’s performances at the Tour de France (VIDEO)

Wout van Aert does not leave anyone indifferent. Since the start of the Tour de France, the driver from the Jumbo-Visma line-up has been involved on all fronts. The Belgian, who wore the yellow jersey for four days at the start of the competition, has won two stages so far. Succeeding in a group sprint, a time trial or a high mountain stage, Wout van Aert is one of the most complete riders in the peloton.

On Thursday, July 21, Wout van Aert once again showed his difference on the Grande Boucle roads. since the beginning of 18^to On the stage connecting Lourdes to Hautacam, the Belgian attacked, as the 27-year-old had done several times during this Tour de France, to place himself in the day’s getaway. Wout van Aert, wearing a green jersey at the back, impressed once again with his climbing ability, especially past Col de Spandelles in front of two climbers, Daniel Martinez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ). On the last non-category climb of the day at Hautacam, the Jumbo-Visma driver also had the luxury of putting Tadej Pogacar in a difficult position. Wout van Aert will finally finish in third place, 2’10” behind the stage winner Jonas Vingegaard.

Anthony Clément shared his impressions of Wout van Aert on the set of “L’Équipe du Soir”. for the journalist SetBelgian runner:He’s the man of the tour, because he’s the one we saw attacking from start to finish. This day (Thursday) reflects the Tour de France: Someone attacking at zero kilometers! Note that this is not the morphotype of the climber. Still the green jersey is someone who has the ability to win a lot of sprints! Someone who can win a group sprint is normally in the grupetto, half an hour away. It attacks at zero kilometers and plays an important role in the escape. He constantly leads the way, he is the one who makes the most effort.“

Wout van Aert’s versatility thus captivated the “L’Équipe du Soir” columnist: “He is captured by two aliens, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, and after doing everything he does, he manages to throw Pogacar behind the wheel into the train. For me, this is beyond understanding! We’ve already seen what we can see in Vingegaard, a yellow jersey that dominates his opponents. What Wout van Aert did today is even more powerful than what he did last year in Ventoux.“In 2021, Wout van Aert really distinguished himself by winning a huge high mountain stage.”leaves you speechless“, adds Anthony Clément, before concluding: “For me, without a doubt, the most impressive of today is Wout van Aert.“

Benoit Lesueur