Van Aert: “The times we think we can win, we win”
He Belgian Wout Van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike) He was surprised with the level of balance that his team shows in the Vuelta, with a total of 5 wins, which shows that “the times we think we can win, we win.”
“The balance of the team in the Vuelta is really amazing. Most of the times we thought we could win, we won. That’s impressive. And in a stage like today, the way we took control as a team is something to be very proud of. Once again, I am very grateful for the work of my teammates,” said Van Aert at the finish line in Córdoba, where he has already won twice.
Maybe I shouldn’t go back to Córdoba because I can’t stay undefeated here. But maybe he’ll come on vacation.”
Two wins, two Cordoban hats for Van Aert, who took the fact as a joke.
“Maybe I shouldn’t go back to Cordova because I can’t stay undefeated here. But maybe he’ll come on vacation,” he said.
It was Van Aert’s fifth victory in the Vuelta, this time the product of a perfect team strategy throughout the stage, entering the breakaway and finishing at the end.
“We tried to surprise the peloton. We controlled the race throughout the day and we still had the support of some strong runners. But I knew that no one expected us to attack. I sensed the right moment in the intermediate sprint. With Matthew Brennan behind, there was no risk in trying, because we always had a good option in the peloton. “That’s how I like to run,” he explained. Van Aert.
The stage was decided between 5 runners who survived the day’s escape, and included two other Belgian runners, Thibau Nys and Ramses Debruyne.
“They were very strong and helped a lot, as did Romele from Astana. But I think Leknessund took a bit of a risk for his teammate who was lagging behind. Somehow, we expected an attack from him. “It started pretty late, so in the last few kilometers I just wanted to stay calm and make sure it was a sprint.”
