Tour de France: 'I was angry' – New footage shows Wout van Aert slamming bottle down after Stage 2 failure

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) admitted he was «angry» after missing on victory in Stage 2 at the 2023 Tour de France, but said throwing a bottle in frustration was a «normal reaction». Fresh footage has surfaced of the aftermath to Sunday's stage to San Sebastian, which showed the Belgian hurling a bidon to the ground after being pipped to the line by Victor Lafay (Cofidis).

Ad Van Aert was a big favourite to take the stage with three team-mates – Jonas Vingegaard, Wilco Kelderman and Tiesj Benoot – in a select front group heading into the final kilometre. Tour de France'We laugh about it' — Van Aert on rumours of Jumbo-Visma tensionsAN HOUR AGO However, the quartet were caught out when Lafay darted clear under the flamme rouge, with their response coming too late as the Frenchman claimed the unlikeliest of wins.

«At least for me it's a normal reaction that I was angry because of the disappointment,» Van Aert told Eurosport ahead of Stage 3. «We all went 100% for it and it's a pity it doesn't work out so that's why I was frustrated after the finish.

»As you probably know we do so many races in the year and quite a few you don't win, so also experienced in handling in disappointment." Stage 3 LIVE – Cavendish chases historic 35th win 'We laugh about it' — Van Aert dismisses Jumbo-Visma tension rumours Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), who finished third behind Van Aert in the sprint to pick up more bonus seconds, was pictured imitating Van Aert's bottle-throw during his warm-down at the finish. Eurosport presenter Orla Chennaoui said the Slovenian had received some blowback on social media for «being disrespectful», but Robbie McEwen defended the two-time champion on The Breakaway ahead of Monday's stage to Bayonne.