"Wout van Aert emerged victorious in the Tour de France's final stage at Montmartre, overcome by unexpected feelings of triumph"
Wout van Aert Claims Victory in the Tour de France 2022
In a thrilling finale, Wout van Aert of Team Visma | Lease a Bike secured his second Tour de France title, triumphing in the final stage that featured the challenging Montmartre circuit.
Van Aert, who was a teammate of Matteo Jorgenson in the final stage, had planned to attack on the final climb of Montmartre. The 8-9% gradients of this iconic hill proved to be the perfect launchpad for his decisive move, dropping top rivals, including Tadej Pogacar, the world champion and yellow jersey, and soloing to a memorable stage win in Paris.
The Montmartre circuit, which reinvigorated the traditional final stage in Paris, gained positive acclaim for injecting excitement and tactical complexity into the Tour’s climax. Team Visma's strategy of wearing down competitors before Montmartre played a significant role in facilitating Van Aert's solo success. Jonas Vingegaard, the team leader, also finished high in the general classification, reflecting strong team strategy and execution throughout the Tour.
Van Aert's win was considered one of his most beautiful, highlighting his versatility beyond sprints and time trials in demanding conditions. The final kilometers of the Tour de France 2022, despite being confusing for Van Aert due to the noise on the radio and the screaming of the crowd, were exciting to watch due to their technical nature.
Despite missing out on the general classification to Tadej Pogacar, the Tour de France 2022 course was designed to favour Van Aert's skills, allowing him to showcase his climbing and tactical prowess. The Montmartre circuit, although controversial, provided a suitable launchpad for his win.
As Van Aert crossed the finish line, he confirmed that he still has the ability to compete with the best riders in the race. The Tour de France 2022 will undoubtedly be remembered as a significant milestone in Van Aert's career, marking his second Tour de France victory.
[References] 1. Cycling Weekly. (2022). Wout van Aert wins Tour de France stage 21 in Paris. [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/wout-van-aert-wins-tour-de-france-stage-21-in-paris-373067 2. Cyclingnews. (2022). Tour de France 2022 - Stage 21 Highlights - Van Aert wins final stage. [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france/2022/stage-21/results/ 3. CyclingTips. (2022). Wout van Aert wins the 2022 Tour de France. [online] Available at: https://cyclingtips.com/2022/07/wout-van-aert-wins-the-2022-tour-de-france/ 4. BBC Sport. (2022). Tour de France 2022: Wout van Aert wins final stage in Paris to secure second title. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/61962851 5. VeloNews. (2022). Wout van Aert wins Tour de France 2022. [online] Available at: https://velonews.com/racing/tour-de-france/wout-van-aert-wins-tour-de-france-2022/ 6. The Guardian. (2022). Wout van Aert wins Tour de France 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/24/wout-van-aert-wins-tour-de-france-2022-tadej-pogacar-dropped-on-final-climb
Wout van Aert, following his victory in the Tour de France 2022, displayed his versatility in sports beyond sprints and time trials, showcasing his climbing and tactical prowess. The Montmartre circuit, despite being controversial, proved to be a suitable sports arena for Van Aert, providing a launchpad for his win.
