'Today I am the loser' — Wout van Aert rues celebrating early at Critérium du Dauphiné
Belgian took his arms off his bars and was pipped to the line by David Gaudu on stage three of the race


It was so close to being perfect. Wout van Aert had briefly dropped to the back of the bunch on the final climb of stage three of the Critérium du Dauphiné, but was paced back to the front by Jonas Vingegaard, as Primož Roglič slowed things up in front. Perfect teamwork.
With the Belgian back at the front of the race with a kilometre to go, it would surely be his victory, clearly the fastest man in the lead group. However, the Jumbo-Visma rider took his hands off his bars to celebrate, convinced that in passing Victory Lafay (Cofidis) he had completed his mission. He did not see David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).
The young Frenchman came from nowhere to round Van Aert, pip him on the line and take victory. The bike throw won it, and Van Aert was crushed.
"In the end, I raised my arms a bit too early," he told the media post-stage. "I am actually really ashamed to lose it like that. A big disappointment to not finish off our work today. I had it in my own hands. If I threw the wheel rather than celebrating I think I would have had it."
As such a serial winner, it was bound to happen to Van Aert at some point. He has 34 career victories, four this year. In fact, in 17 race days he has only been out of the top ten on three occasions, which is frankly mind-boggling. If he hadn't have contracted Covid, those stats might be even better.
However, Van Aert will not think about this.
"It was just a rookie mistake," he said. "I’m ashamed, because we worked really hard all day to go for the stage win, and to give it away like this it’s painful. I have to thank my teammates a lot, they were super strong and after we missed out on the stage win yesterday we were really committed to go for it today. I saw it so many times with colleagues of mine, and sometimes laughed at it, but today I am the loser. [I have] no words actually."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
It was the first time he had committed such a sin, although it isn't the first time it has been seen in bike racing. It's as great a heartbreak as a batsman dismissed on 99, or that last minute equaliser that turns ecstasy into stone.
Julian Alaphilippe did something similar at Liège-Bastogne-Liège two years ago, although he was later disqualified anyway. Erik Zabel infamously did it at Milan-San Remo in 2004, handing victory to Óscar Freire.
"Hopefully it won’t happen again," he said. "I felt someone from Cofidis on my left and when I passed him I thought I had it, but on an uphill finish like this when you raise yourself you lose so much speed in a fraction of a second and Gaudu came from the other side. [It’s] painful."
"When you see someone else do it you always question how it is possible. Now I understand the feeling better," he continued.
"I saw the finish line, I was about half a wheel behind. I had it in my own hands, but I gave it away. I’m quite angry with myself, for sure I want to make up for it in the next couple of days."
Tomorrow he will try and make up for the mistake in the sole time trial of the Dauphiné, a 32km route. He won his previous time trial in a stage race this year, at Paris-Nice, so is among the favourites. One feels he needs the cleansing redemption of victory.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
'I've bought four kilos of Haribo just in case' - Meet Dr Sarah Ruggins, who has gone from paralysis to aiming for the LEJOGLE record
Canadian is aiming to take the overall record for Lands End to John O' Groats to Lands End, which currently stands at five days, 18 hours
By Adam Becket
-
The sun's out and so am I: why there's no shame in being a fair-weather bike rider
Let's be honest, rain and riding bikes don't mix well – there's nothing wrong with waiting for the sun
By James Shrubsall
-
Jonas Vingegaard confirms race schedule ahead of Tour de France
Danish climber will only ride the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, but will take part in two altitude camps
By Tom Thewlis
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
By Adam Becket
-
'I never thought in a million years I would beat Wout in a sprint' - Neilson Powless shocks with improbable Dwars door Vlaanderen win
Visma-Lease a Bike put on a show of force ahead of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday but came away without the victory in Waregem
By Tom Thewlis
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
By Tom Thewlis
-
'I’m left with ambitions I no longer get to chase' - 26-year-old pro cyclist forced to retire over heart issues
Lars van den Berg reveals "worst nightmare" with cardiologists revealing that the risks are "too great"
By Adam Becket
-
Mathieu van der Poel vs Wout van Aert: Cyclo-cross World Championships form guide
Van Aert was a surprise addition to the CX Worlds lineup last weekend after he was initially not scheduled to race in Liévin
By Tom Thewlis
-
Changing the final Tour de France stage in Paris is an exciting prospect but I think it should be for one year only
The race's organisers were reported to be exploring the possibility of bringing the cobbled streets of Montmartre into the race’s final stage in Paris this summer
By Tom Thewlis
-
Should Wout van Aert ride for GC at a Grand Tour?
The Belgian superstar's main ambitions in 2025 are finally winning the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix
By Chris Marshall-Bell