'I thought I should go back, but that would look stupid': Guillaume Van Keirsbulck's 190km solo break

Belgian rider talks about his long solo breakaway effort

Guillaume Van Keirsbulck escapes solo on stage four of the Tour de France

(Image credit: Sunada)

Here’s a question: what would you do if you attacked from the gun on a 207km Tour de France stage and the peloton let you go — on your own?

That was the situation Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) found himself in during today’s fourth stage from Mondorf-les-Bains to Vittel. He admits the thought of a day spent alone battling a cross-headwind on tough, rolling roads wasn’t exactly the plan, but there was no going back once he found himself out front.

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After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields. 


Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.


A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.