Van der Poel and Van Aert Ready to Hunt Stage into Carcassonne: “Being in the Breakaway Will Be the Most Important Thing Today”…

Van der Poel and Van Aert Ready to Hunt Stage into Carcassonne: “Being in the Breakaway Will Be the Most Important Thing Today”

 

 

With the Tour de France entering its final week, stage 16 into Carcassonne presents a golden opportunity for the breakaway specialists — and two of cycling’s biggest stars, Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, have made it clear they’re eyeing victory.

Both riders hinted at aggressive intentions before the start of the 188-kilometer stage from Gruissan to Carcassonne, which winds through undulating terrain that favors attackers. “Being in the breakaway will be the most important thing today,” said Van der Poel at the team bus this morning. “There’s a good chance it goes all the way to the finish.”

Van der Poel, riding for Alpecin-Deceuninck, has had a relatively quiet Tour by his standards but has grown visibly sharper as the race progressed. Known for his explosive power and fearless racing style, the Dutchman will be a marked man if he gets up the road.

His long-time rival and close friend Wout van Aert, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, echoed similar ambitions. “It’s a stage that suits us—lumpy, hot, and hard to control,” he said. “The legs are tired, and that’s when the breakaway has its best chance.”

The duo, who have lit up the Tour in previous editions with solo raids and stage wins, are once again drawing headlines for their potential to shape the race. While neither is in contention for the yellow jersey this year, both are chasing individual stage glory and perhaps more — Van Aert has also been keeping a close eye on the green jersey standings, while Van der Poel may be setting up for one of his classic late-stage surges.

Today’s route features several rolling hills but no major categorized climbs, making it ideal for a powerful escape group. The run-in to Carcassonne is flat and fast, which could favor a reduced bunch sprint — but only if the breakaway is reeled in, something that is far from guaranteed given the teams’ exhaustion deep into the Tour.

Team tactics will be critical. Alpecin-Deceuninck may throw additional riders into the mix to support Van der Poel’s efforts, while Visma could look to use Van Aert as a wildcard, forcing other teams to do the chasing.

“I think today we’ll see a very strong group go early,” said EF Education-EasyPost’s Neilson Powless. “And if guys like Van Aert or Van der Poel are in it, they won’t get caught.”

The anticipation is building for fireworks on the road to Carcassonne, a town steeped in Tour history and known for delivering thrilling finales. Whether it’s a long-range solo attack or a tactical masterclass in a reduced sprint, Van der Poel and Van Aert appear ready to seize the day.

One thing is certain: with two of cycling’s most exciting talents eyeing victory, fans can expect a dramatic and potentially decisive stage.