“It was a wall, a very challenging arrival. It’s unprecedented that Wout can do this too. That gives me a lot of satisfaction, ”Zeeman responds to Sporza. “I think Alaphilippe is actually the best in the world on such a finish, just think of the Flèche Wallonne and several times on the Tour.
Still, he couldn’t get Wout off his back. At the steepest part, Wout was able to recover again. He pulled something from his smallest finger. And then Wout wins that sprint. Very smart.”
After the finish line, Van Aert was completely empty. “That was a beautiful image. Alaphilippe could hardly say anything. What a beautiful sport it is. “
Van Aert has also regained the leader’s jersey, but winning the Tour of Britain is not a goal in itself. “The most important thing is the World Cup. We mark the first four stages to go deeper. He needed this effort to take another step in his condition. Now it will no longer force anything. If the team can control the race, the victory will not be lost, but that is not our goal. That is the World Cup and the Paris-Roubaix ”.
Van Aert appears to be in his World Cup form, but isn’t it too early? “No. He has had a long training period and has worked well at altitude. The coaches guide him well. This match fits into the plan. I am fully confident that he will be at his best at the World Cup.”
The top favorite for the World Cup now seems to be known. “Wout is very comfortable in his own skin, he’s very confident and he enjoys it. He is the top favorite, but he can handle that role well. That’s great.”
Jumbo-Visma is also very happy with the Belgian tactic. “We think it is very good that he is the only leader, of course. It would be a dream for our team if he becomes world champion. As a team, we do our part to prepare it as well as possible ”.
“We have good contact with their national coach. I have a lot of confidence in Sven Vanthourenhout. Belgium has a very strong national team and will make a good plan. That will also be necessary because many countries will fully coordinate their course with Belgium and Wout ”.
“For the moment, I think all Belgians will adapt to the team’s tactics. They are all good guys and you win a world title as a reward for your whole country. “
