Mario Aerts and Dries Devenyns were the two Belgians in the six-man break that dominated today's stage 10 of the Tour de France between Chambéry and Gap. But neither could prevent the victory going to Portuguese rider Sergio Paulinho. The reactions from the Belgians were mixed. Devenyns was happy with third, while Aerts blamed his attack, which came too early.
This at least netted Aerts the most aggressive rider award, for the second time in this Tour. "That's just another consolation prize," the Belgian aid to Sporza after the stage. "I would have rather won the stage."
He tried hard and was the first one to give it a serious go with a good dozen kilometers left to go. "It was too early," he admitted. "In retrospect I should have waited longer. Paulinho and Kiryienka were also strong, but if I would have waited longer I may have been able to ride with them." Paulinho and Kiryienka escaped the others to make it a two-up sprint, a minute ahead of the rest of the break.
Aerts is not looking for a third most aggressive rider's award any time soon. "I think I will take some 'rest days'." The rest may also be needed in light of teammate Jurgen Van Den Broeck's overall placing. He sits in fifth place, 3'31 behind race leader Andy Schleck, with a dreadful third week looming. "He will likely need me in the Pyrenees." Aerts wasn't just struggling with the competitors. "It was really tough today, with the heat and the head wind."
Aerts is also fourth in the mountains competition, with 58 points. He added 15 today, while being in the break. "I did not have to do anything for it," he said, acknowledging that it happened rather by the race situation. But things could change. "You never know, I might be in another break." He does sit 33 points back so won't be able to afford to let opportunities slip away.
Devenyns happy in Gap
Devenyns was the best Belgian off the stage. "I probably shouldn't say this, but I am really satisfied with that," he told Sporza. "The two strongest rode in front, there was nothing to do." Devenyns rides for the Quick Step team, which had to leave Tom Boonen home due to injury. But the other riders stepped up. "The team is doing a really nice Tour." Sylvain Chavanel even rode in the yellow jersey for a day.
For Devenyns, things are different. "My form is a little bit less. When you can get third when you are in not so great shape, that is not bad," he said.
The two Belgians ride for different teams, but that doesn't necessarily make them ride against each other. "I adjusted my tactics to Mario Aerts," Devenyns said. "He told me that he knew the route. After his attempt, I went, because I thought we were close to the top. So I went to too early.
"But I am satisfied and I think the sponsors are also content. On the 14th of July [French National Holiday -ed.] there are a lot of Frenchmen in front of the TV and France is a big market for us."