Van Aert: "After the team's work, I had to try"

Wout Van Aert celebrated his stage sprint victory, stating that winning is always pleasant, especially in a race like this. He felt he had compensated his team for their efforts throughout the day.

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By all means, winning is always nice, and especially in a race like this, so I am very happy with this stage win.

"By all means, winning is always nice, and especially in a race like this, so I am very happy with this stage win," the cyclist said at the finish line. This marks Van Aert's 53rd career win, achieved through a sprint, serving as a tune-up for the upcoming Tour de France.

Van Aert mentioned that his sprints had been going well all year, including in recent training sessions, which gave him the confidence to let the race come down to the final stretch. He admitted to some concern due to lingering pain from an accident the previous week.

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The sprints have been going well all year, even in training in recent weeks. That gave me the confidence to let everything be decided in the final straight. It wasn't something to be taken for granted, and I was worried because I still felt some pain after last week's accident.

He highlighted the team's crucial role, noting that Visma chased the breakaway all day to set him up for the sprint. "There weren't many sprinter teams, so we knew it wouldn't be easy to control the race. Visma chased the breakaway all day, and I had to try," he explained.

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There weren't many sprinter teams, so we knew it wouldn't be easy to control the race. Visma chased the breakaway all day, and I had to try.