Wout van Aert, after his 2nd place in the Dauphiné stage: “Two seconds is even more frustrating”

“How do you feel after this time trial?
It’s already frustrating to finish second in a lap time, but with only two seconds behind, it’s even more so. You have to know how to accept defeat, especially when you know you couldn’t do better. I gave it my all, I can’t have any regrets. Did the wind that blew more as you passed than for Ganna, who left earlier than you, deprive you of victory?
Do not look for an excuse, it’s not my style. It is sure that it blew more than during the reconnaissance at 12 o’clock. But the most important part was between the first two intermediate times, where it rose slightly. Ganna took me 20” on this portion, he was clearly the strongest. Is it an additional motivation to ride against the world time trial champion?
I’m always motivated when it comes to a time trial. But when I saw Ganna’s time and especially his average of 54 km/h before I started, it made me want to beat him even more. But it was not for today, I hope to get there soon. Can the fact of having relegated your two leaders Roglic (at 56”) and Vingegaard (1’26”) in the general classification change your strategy for the final victory?
I don’t think it changes much, they will be better than me in the mountains next weekend. But I will try to keep this yellow jersey until then because it is an honor to wear it. Do you already have in mind the first stage of the Tour de France, a 13 kilometer time trial in Copenhagen which could allow you to take the yellow jersey?
It’s true that I prefer shorter efforts, when it lasts less than twenty minutes, but so does Ganna. It is certain that I will come out of this Dauphiné even more confident with an even better physical condition.