On the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France, Visma | Lease a Bike found themselves balancing between pursuing a stage win and defending their second place in the General Classification with Jonas Vingegaard. The Dutch team initially aimed for a stage victory, deploying Wout van Aert and Tiesj Benoot strategically. However, their plans shifted when Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel launched aggressive attacks on Vingegaard.
“We wanted to go for the stage win, with me and Tiesj,” explained Wout van Aert to reporters post-stage. “It was challenging to break away with so much competition. We tried to support Tiesj’s breakaway, but a large group formed, including strong climbers. Christophe and I attempted later, but it wasn’t successful for the stage victory.”
As the race intensified towards the finale, Visma | Lease a Bike found themselves relying on their team strength. Vingegaard faced isolation during Pogacar’s initial attack, with Evenepoel increasing the pressure thereafter. Christophe Laporte played a crucial role in reeling in Vingegaard, while Van Aert and Benoot limited the damage to a twelve-second gap.
Reflecting on the dynamics of the race, Van Aert commented, “I didn’t witness the attack as I was ahead, but we always anticipate Pogacar’s aggression. We remain prepared for such scenarios, though I will discuss with Jonas to understand what unfolded. With Christophe, Tiesj, and myself still in contention towards the end, we could support him effectively.”
Benoot, having expended significant effort in an early breakaway, recounted his experience: “I pushed myself to the limit. We were in a leading group for about a hundred kilometers. Magnus Cort and I had opportunities, but the arrival of fresh climbers posed a challenge.”
He continued, “I thought my day was over, but I had to rally for Jonas on the final climb. It wasn’t easy after such an effort. Going from a near standstill to five hundred watts is tough. Thankfully, we managed to minimize the gap.”
Merijn Zeeman, the team’s sports director, acknowledged Vingegaard’s challenging day, noting it was the first instance he struggled to respond to attacks from Pogacar and Evenepoel. Looking ahead, Zeeman remained optimistic about the team’s prospects in the upcoming mountain stages, emphasizing the need for support from riders like Van Aert and Benoot.
“Wout, Tiesj, and Laporte executed brilliantly today,” Zeeman praised. “They played invaluable roles, with Laporte notably supporting Jonas on descents. Wout maintained stability and even closed gaps, while Tiesj contributed significantly. Our team and tactics were exceptional.”
Regarding Vingegaard’s future strategy, Zeeman added, “We can make plans, but it ultimately depends on Jonas. He will assess his condition and decide whether to attack. Tomorrow poses another challenge, and Friday’s mountain stage above two thousand meters will be pivotal.”
With the Tour de France approaching its climax, Visma | Lease a Bike remains focused on navigating the demanding terrain ahead while defending their position in the overall standings.