However, Aldag had also made it clear to him before the race that if he had a personal opportunity to win, he was free to compete for the stage victory based on his condition on the day and make the choice that best served the team's interests.
After all, the Tour de France is different from a week-long race. Focusing the goals of all eight team members solely on the overall Tour de France victory was something probably only the UAE team would do.
Even the Visma Team wouldn't do that.
Because they had a Classics specialist like Van Aert, who was perfectly capable of competing for wins on hilly stages.
At the Tour de France, every stage victory is like winning one of the one-day Spring Classics.
Whoever wins brings immense exposure to their team.
It was a golden opportunity for self-promotion that no sponsor would want, or be willing, to miss.
...
June 29th. The weather was clear and the sun was shining brightly.
