'Paris finale suits me' - Van Aert targets Tour stage win

In the Visma | Lease a Bike rest day press conference on Monday Morning, Wout van Aert revealed that he feels back on track and ready to target victories in the final stages of the Tour de France after illness hampered his performance during the opening week of racing. 

"Actually, I feel pretty good. My level in the first week was somewhat affected by the illness I had the week before the Tour," Van Aert revealed to reporters at the Visma | Lease a Bike rest day press conference in quotes collected by Nieuwsblad when asked about his current form and feelings. "But now, I'm actually feeling good," he added.

The Visma | Lease a Bike rider remains optimistic about his chances of fighting for a stage win in the final week of the Tour, despite the presence of the Alps and Mont Ventoux, suggesting that the final stage into Paris, with the addition of the Montmarte circuit, could be one to suit the Belgian star.

"I think three mountain stages aren't really opportunities, but the other stages are. The final stage to Paris does have a finale that should suit me. The race will be driven by the peloton there, so you'll have more control," explained the Belgian. 

Van Aert featured in the breakaway on two occasions in the second week of the Tour. First, the Belgian rode to a fifth-place finish on stage 11 into Toulouse, which was won by Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), before another strong showing on stage 15, which resulted in a fourth-place finish behind solo winner Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). 

Van Aert suggested his satisfaction with how he has recovered from his illness with these solid performances, but indicated that he believes that he can improve further heading into the third and final week.

"I'm satisfied with the level I'm reaching, but I'm hoping for something more. I came close a few times, but I also felt a bit too far off. The pieces haven't fallen into place yet, but I can't really blame myself," Van Aert explained.

The final week of Grand Tours has often been a successful hunting ground for Van Aert; he has won two time trials and a stage on the Champs-Élysées in the third week in previous editions, and he was crucial to Simon Yates's Giro d'Italia victory in May for the work he did on stage 20. 

Van Aert cites his ability to withstand fatigue better than most as one of the reasons why he believes there's still plenty to get out of the race in the final week. 

"Am I in the best shape? I'm in the shape I need to perform," said Van Aert.

"Usually, the last week is the week that suits me very well, because of the tiredness in everyone's legs. I already felt that last week in the mountains; it was going more smoothly."

The Tour de France resumes on Tuesday with stage 16 that finishes atop Mont Ventoux, where Van Aert will have good memories, having won a stage in 2021 which featured two ascents of the iconic mountain. His team leader, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), sits in 2nd in the general classification, 4:13 behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).