Cycling: Wout van Aert is a phenomenon. The strong crosser, time trialist and sprinter can also win tough mountain stages. In the Belgian championship jersey, he conquered Mont Ventoux twice and left all his breakaway colleagues behind. In the overall standings, the young Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark was particularly convincing today, although he was not able to gain any time from it.
Wout van Aert as a climber
Why climb Mont Ventoux once when you can do it twice? True to this motto, the professionals had to master the giants of Provence twice on the 198,9-kilometer stage from Sorgues to Malaucène. This was the fastest wout van aert (Jumbo - Visma). The Belgian champions were part of a strong breakaway group that was at least partially able to save themselves from the favorites to the finish. On the final ascent, he left all his companions in the best climbing manner and deservedly won the eleventh stage. The fight for the podium in the overall standings only flared up shortly before the summit of Mont Ventoux. Surprisingly turned out today jonas vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma) as the strongest climber. The young Dane even let Leader Tadej pogacar (UAE) and moved up to second place in the overall standings.
A long fight for the breakaway
As expected, numerous drivers wanted to be in the breakaway group today. Therefore, there were some attacks, so that the escape groups were formed late. The three French Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick Step), Pierre Roland (B&B hotels) and Anthony Perez (Cofidis), as well as the Irishman Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) drove ahead. They were chased by a group of 12 chasing the Belgian wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma), the Dutchman Build Mollema (Trek – Segafredo) and the Germans Nils Politt (Bora – hansgrohe). After a long chase, the two groups finally came together 100 kilometers from the finish line. As expected, the large lead group disintegrated as we climbed Mont Ventoux for the first time.
Wout van Aert conquers Trek – Segafredo
The second approach to Mont Ventoux was tackled in the leading group with 8 men left. Together with wout van aert (Jumvo-Visma), Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick Step), Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin – Fenix) and Luke Durbridge (BikeExchange) 3 riders from Trek – Segafredo were represented at the front: Julien Bernard, Bauke Mollema and Kenny Elissonde. When the first-named pro of this team had done his job, Elissonde launched the first attack. The Frenchman was able to immediately build up a lead. Behind them, Alaphilippe and Van Aert tried to catch up with Mollema on the rear wheel. However, only Wout van Aert succeeded in doing this. The crosser, sprinter and time trialist is also a strong climber. With a solid start, he finally left Elissonde behind - and drove towards his undisputed victory.
Not a good day for the French
The day didn't go so well for david gaudu (Groupama – FDJ). The French hope - after all tenth overall before today's start - flew back on the first ascent of Mont Ventoux and ultimately lost several minutes. Also for Ben O'Connor (AG2R – Citroën) and William Martin (Cofidis) things didn't go according to plan. The Australian and the French had to give up well before the summit of Mont Ventoux.
Vingegaard even leaves Pogacar standing
The British team Ineos Grenadiers worked in the main draw for most of the day. However, when the last helper was used up around three kilometers before the summit of Mont Ventoux, he left jonas vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma) on the offensive. At first only Leader could follow him Tadej pogacar (UAE). But at some point the Slovenian had to realize that the Dane is stronger today. Together with the Colombian Rigoberto Urán (EF – Nippo) and the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) he had to fight to catch up in the downhill. As the trio worked well together, they catch up with Jonas Vingegaard before the finish line.
Tony Martin has to leave the Tour de France
Unfortunately, in the early stages of today's stage, another crash of Tony Martin (Jumbo - Visma). The German had to leave the Tour de France injured and was taken to hospital. When the fight for the breakaway group was in full swing in the peloton, the 36-year-old fell into a ditch on the left-hand side of the road. His right thigh was covered with blood. However, he was conscious and composed. Due to his departure, the Jumbo – Visma team is only on the road with 6 professionals. Captain Primoz Roglic had to give up injured a few days ago. Among other things, today's stage also ended Tiesj Benoot (DSM) and Miles Scotson (Groupama – FDJ) not.
There gaat Van Aert! Solo op de Ventoux! #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/UDSMor1sX8
— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) July 7, 2021