Tour de France: "I was really close" to victory in the 3rd stage, regrets Van Aert

What feeling dominates after this new second place but also obtaining the yellow and green jerseys?

That's a good question, I force myself a bit to be satisfied.

I had the dream of the yellow jersey for a long time and the green jersey is one of the main objectives of my year, that's what guided my preparation.

But I also like to win races.

Today, I got really close, it gives mixed feelings.

That said, I didn't expect to win today.

Pure sprints are not my favorite even though I consider myself a sprinter.

I won on the Champs-Élysées

and that says it all.

In this Tour, I know there will be more favorable opportunities.

To discover

• The general classification of the Tour de France

• Tour de France 2022: discover the map and the route of the next edition

You are getting closer to victory...

Today is my first big disappointment.

I was beaten by stronger the first two days.

This time it's my fault even though Dylan (Groenewegen) was strong.

I should have waited a little longer in the wheel of Christophe (Laporte).

I think I can win if I stay a little longer in his wheel.

I have a pitcher who is very strong now, I should have trusted him more.

“The fourth stage is not going to be easy at all, then there will be the cobblestones”

How are the next few days looking?

What awaits us is very demanding.

The fourth stage is not going to be easy at all, then there will be the cobblestones.

These two stages are harder than those in Denmark and that will work in my favour.

We will try to combine our two ambitions (yellow and green jerseys for the team, editor's note).

I am in a good position in the green jersey, Jonas (Vingegaard) and Primoz (Roglic) get out of this introduction without any problem.

Now we have the rest day, it's new for me in the Tour.

Usually there were nine or ten days of racing before the first rest.

I will have to rev the engine tomorrow (Monday) to have good legs on Tuesday.

It's new but it's good to be able to rest after the trip.

Statements taken at a press conference