Ilan Van Wilder remains Soudal Quick-Step’s best-placed rider in the ranking.
The race started only a couple of days ago, but it already hit the high mountains on stage six, which went deep into the heart of the mighty Pyrenees, where the feared duo of Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet awaited. The fact that the least climb of the day, Gavarnie-Gèdre, had shallow gradients didn’t count at all for the general classification men, who launched their moves more than 40 kilometers from the finish.
Valentin Paret-Peintre tested the waters early, attacking before the summit of the Aspin and scoring some points that put him in contention for the polka for jersey. His action was a brave but short-lived one, as the peloton came back and caught him on the descent. Just before taking on the slopes of the Tourmalet, Bert Van Lerberghe brought his second Tour de France participation to a conclusion, meaning that our team will go into the weekend with seven riders.
Ilan Van Wilder finished this stage won by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) as the highest-ranked Soudal Quick-Step rider and sits in 14th place on the overall standings, where things should remain unchanged in the next two days, which will bring as many opportunities for the sprinters.
“It was tough today. It was hot again and full gas from the start, as many wanted to be in the breakaway. We then climbed the Aspin at an incredible speed, and things continued like that on the Tourmalet, where the pace set at the front of the bunch was crazy. I managed to join a group and arrive with it at the finish, but it remains to be seen if I can keep this tempo for three weeks”, Ilan explained after the stage.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
