- Everyone felt the crosswind but I could finish well and it feels great.
I found a good backseat and timed the sprint.
It was a surprise that I was able to win the stage, says van Aert in Eurosport's broadcast.
van Aert had time to stretch out his hands in a gesture of victory as he crossed the finish line.
Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen was clearly second.
Julian Alaphilippe, who got rid of the leader's shirt after drinking too late two days ago, pulled up the sprint but hesitated and made a resigned gesture 50 meters before the finish.
- I had problems with the reverse gear, says Alaphilippe about the sprint incident.
- It was full throttle from the start and sour for the team because we lost many cyclists in the beginning, says Alaphilippe.
With 34 km left, Alaphilippe made a move and split the cluster into three parts.
Among the victims were a total of three Tadej Pogacar and Mikel Landa.
It was a tough stage, slightly hilly with a climb of 14 km in the middle, with high speed right through.
During the weekend, two tough mountain stages await in the Pyrenees.