‘Sad’ – Wout van Aert hits out at Nils Eekhoff for unexpected points move on Stage 16 of the Tour de France

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) has said with a smile that it was “sad” that Nils Eekhoff (Team DSM) surged ahead of him to pick up full points during the intermediate sprint on Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Van Aert started the day on a near-insurmountable tally of 378 in the green jersey points classification with his nearest challenger Tadej Pogacar on 182. Ad/> However the Belgian was peeved when Eekhoff, who started the day on zero points, kicked clear near the line of the only intermediate sprint of the stage at Lavelanet.

Tour de France‘Today it’s for him’ – Houle dedicates emotional stage win to late brother4 HOURS AGO «Everyone has the right to sprint,» Van Aert said after the finish about the bizarre moment. «I did tell Nils that I would have appreciated it if he had said beforehand that he wanted to sprint. Then we could really do that.

»He threw his wheel [ahead of me] and I thought that was a bit sad. I think they want to spice up the cash register at DSM," he added with a smile when asked by a reporter whether Eekhoff — now in 65th place on 20 points in the green jersey standings — was one more rival. Tour de France Tour de France 2022 general classification standings Houle solos to Stage 16 win as Vingegaard shuts down Pogacar attacks ‘Bang!’ – Pogacar launches furious uphill and downhill attacks on Vingegaard The move from Eekhoff drew surprise from Eurosport's Rob Hatch and Dan Lloyd on commentary during the race, with Lloyd saying he thought it was a joke when he saw the DSM rider surge clear.

“And it is Van Aert at the front here,” said Hatch as he set the scene as the riders approached the line. “He takes a brief glimpse down and I shouldn't see anybody who wants to challenge him too much. «Although