Sylvain Chavanel and Kevin de Weert were both active on today's stage in the Tour de France that finished in Pinerolo, Italy. But ultimately neither one was able to bring home a prize for their Quick Step team. Chavanel was fifth, reaching the finish in a three-man group 50 seconds behind the winner. De Weert crossed the line just ahead of the peloton.
Chavanel was disappointed to have missed out on the win. "Today I really thought I could give the team the first victory in the Tour. In the break we collaborated really well." With a teammate coming up from behind, Chavanel even had the luxury of saving some energy. "When De Weert attacked behind me I stopped collaborating as actively, hoping he could get back in."
Towards the end the tactical maneuvers started and the guessing games were played. "During the break I saw that Boasson Hagen was checking me out; I knew he was the strongest rider." Knowing it didn't help, as Chavanel was unable to follow the Norwegian's decisive move. "Personally, I gave it all I had. It was nice to spend a stage in the lead." The next two stages may prove too tough for the Frenchman. "This was probably my last chance in this Tour. After a few really hard days in the last stages I've really improved." Chavanel's teammate De Weert sits only half a minute outside the top ten. "I'm going to try to be useful to De Weert in the next stages," Chavanel said.
De Weert for his part had planned to make up time today. "Yesterday evening I was already thinking that if I got the chance I would try to attack." His chance came on the third mountain of the day. "When Roche attacked on the climb for Montgenevre I didn't squander that chance. Hoogerland also got on my wheel."
A seemingly ideal group of guys did not manage to get to the lead riders. "We started gaining a few seconds on the group, but neither Hoogerland nor Roche were collaborating with me. I practically pedaled out front the whole way, arriving to the top of Sestriere just one minute from the lead group." De Weert was disappointed that they failed to make the junction. "If they had worked with me we definitely could have caught up to the first group and my efforts would have been worth something."
Instead of minutes, he only gained 26 seconds on the first group, but moved a lot closer to Rigoberto Uran and Jean-Christophe Peraud on GC. "I'm bummed because I was feeling really good. If I think back on the stage my first thought is that I did a lot to gain a few seconds' advantage."
De Weert still thinks it was the right decision to try. "If I reason a little more clearly, however, I realize that today on the last climb I wouldn't have been able to match Contador's rhythm and I definitely would have wasted time. So today's operation is positive."
The next two stages may provide more chances to improve for him. "As of tomorrow the climbs will be longer and more regular, so more adapted to me. I only hope this stage doesn't stay in my legs." De Weert is yet another flatland Belgian who knows his way around in the high mountains. "Anyway, today I showed that I can attack and I'm not afraid of confrontation."