Wout van Aert is full of self-reproach after his “beginner’s mistake” in the Critérium du Dauphiné. The Belgian from Jumbo-Visma cheered too early in the bunch sprint on Tuesday and was then beaten by the Frenchman David Gaudu.
“This was a beginner’s mistake,” said Van Aert in an interview afterwards. “I am ashamed, because the team has worked hard for me all day. To give it away in this way is so painful.”
The 27-year-old Van Aert seemed to crown the top work of his teammates from Jumbo-Visma in a tough hill stage with a stage win. The Belgian already raised his arms, but misjudged Gaudu, who was the first to push his bicycle across the line to the right of Van Aert.
“I’ve seen this before with colleagues,” said Van Aert. “I sometimes had to laugh about it. Now I am the loser myself. I have no words for it. It is the first time in my career that this has happened to me. Hopefully it won’t happen a second time.”
Wout van Aert cheered too early and saw David Gaudu (left) take the win.
Wout van Aert cheered too early and saw David Gaudu (left) take the win. Photo: Getty Images
‘It happened in a split second’
Van Aert had no explanation for his error of judgment. “On such a sloping finish you lose a lot of speed when you cheer. It happens in a split second. Gaudu came from the other side. It’s just painful.”
Despite the missed stage win in Chastreix-Sancy, Van Aert captured the yellow leader’s jersey in the Dauphiné. “I would also have had that jersey if I had won, hey”, the Belgian concluded with a smile.
Van Aert will start the individual time trial over 32 flat kilometers on Wednesday with a six-second lead over number two Gaudu. The Dauphiné will last until Sunday. After Wednesday’s time trial, only hill and mountain stages are on the program.