After five top sprints, Huub Artz sees 'the beauty of sprinting'

Dutch cyclist Huub Artz, 24, is making a surprising debut at the Tour de France, achieving five top-10 finishes in mass sprints. The Lotto-Intermarché rider, initially brought on as an attacker, has seized opportunities to sprint after teammate Arnaud De Lie withdrew early.

Artz expressed his astonishment at his performance, stating, "I wouldn't have dared to dream of this." He has consistently placed well in sprints, with his fifth top-10 finish occurring on Wednesday. This success has led him to question whether he should focus more on sprinting, even without specialized preparation.

"At this level, it might be harder to call yourself an attacker," Artz reflected. He noted the difficulty for breakaway riders to succeed, especially with dominant teams like UAE controlling the pace. This observation, coupled with his sprint success, is prompting him to consider a shift.

While not a pure sprinter by nature, Artz acknowledges the potential. He believes his existing strength as a rider can complement improved explosiveness in the final kilometers. The experience gained in this Tour has made him appreciate "the beauty of sprinting."