Stage 20 TDF 2022 Blog: Every Stage is a WVA Stage
On the Stage 20 individual time trial, it was proved once again that every stage is potentially a Wout van Aert stage.
This could have been a nail-biter of a race, a cliff-hanger, an edge-of-your-seat-er – but it wasn’t because the GC was already pretty much settled. So in the event, it was the start of the fizzling-out of the Tour. Therefore this report will be brief.
Ganna was good but not quite on fizzing form. He was the leader for quite a while but ended up fifth at 42s.
Wout van Aert built an advantage: 5s quicker than Bauke Mollema at the 1st time-check, 25s quicker than Filippo Ganna at the second, and 41s quicker than the Italian at the finish line.
Would it be enough? Geraint Thomas did a good ITT but ended 32s behind WVA. That turned out to be 4th place.
Pogacar started fast, but faded a little, and finished 27s behind the Belgian, for 3rd place.
Vingegaard began fast too, but paid a visit to the gravel and grass at the edge of the road on one bend on a descent, and thereafter reined himself in a bit. He was second at 18s behind WVA.
Another win for Wout van Aert, his third at this Tour de France.
Things worked out perfectly for Jumbo Visma today, and in the 2022 Tour de France in general.