Tour de France: Van Aert wins after an incredible solo on stage 4
DPA
· 05.07.2022
Spectacular attack
With a spectacular attack on the chalk cliffs of the Channel coast, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) broke the spell as the eternal runner-up of the 109th Tour de France and finally celebrated his first stage win.
After three previous second places, the Belgian won the fourth stage and extended his lead in the overall standings. And on the Wednesday comes with the cobbled stage to the infamous Arenberg forest A piece as if painted for the Belgian all-rounder.
Jumbo-Visma breaks up the peloton
Eleven kilometres before the finish, his team Jumbo-Visma launched a brutal attack on the Cote du Cap Blanc-Nez, which was just under one kilometre long. The team with favourites Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard split up the entire peloton, and defending champion Tadej Pogacar also had problems at first. Van Aert was the first over the crest and raced alone towards the finish. Behind him, the field rode together again after a brief confusing phase.
"We had plans for the team. We were in a perfect position. That was tough. We heard that we had done some damage. Then I rode through on my own," said van Aert.
Philipsen with a cheering fail
His compatriot Jasper Philipsen won the sprint from the peloton in second place and initially thought he had won the stage. He was eventually caught by third-placed Christophe Laporte.
The first day after the visit to Denmark was initially like the flat stages in Scandinavia. Mountain jersey holder Magnus Cort broke away - this time with the Frenchman Anthony Perez - behind him the peloton was bored until van Aert attacked. Thanks to the points he has collected, Cort, who is celebrated in his Danish homeland, is unlikely to lose the mountains jersey until the first mountain finish on Friday.
Pave promises excitement at Tour de France
Wednesday's stage from Lille to Arenberg promises much more excitement. Eleven cobblestone sectors have to be mastered, the first of which comes after around 74 kilometres. A total of 19.4 kilometres of the bumpy surface of the northern French country lanes are on the programme. Compared to the last cobbled stage of the 2018 Tour, the organisers have chosen longer sectors.
Back then, John Degenkolb celebrated one of the most emotional victories of his career. On Wednesday, the race will also pass between Erre and Wandignies over parts of the pavé sector that bears Degenkolb's name. With four stars, the Pavé belongs to the second most difficult category and is the only one in the programme of the classic Paris-Roubaix that is named after a professional who is still active.
Degenkolb with a special relationship to the cobblestones
Degenkolb, who won the classic through the Hell of the North in 2015, is one of the prominent supporters of an association that campaigns for the preservation of the cobblestone passages.
It is questionable whether Degenkolb has the form to repeat his coup of four years ago. Shortly before the Tour, a corona infection set him back. The veteran doesn't really know where he stands. "The results of the medical tests were normal and I didn't notice anything during training either. But you won't really know until the race," said the Thuringian.
Free ride for Politt?
The top favourite is Mathieu van der Poel, who has already won the Tour of Flanders twice. From a German perspective, Nils Politt could also have a chance.
The German champion is in top form, finishing second at Paris-Roubaix in 2019. However, the man from Cologne may have to protect his captain Aleksandr Vlasov and guide him safely over the cobbles.
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