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Tim Wellens wins stage 15 of Tour de France

Tim Wellens outperforms Wout van Aert and Victor Campenaerts in a Belgian showdown.

July 20, 2025 at 04:49 PM

Wout van Aert and Victor Campenaerts bettered by 'the guy you don't want in the breakaway' in Tour de France Belgian battle

Wellens claims victory over Belgian rivals in a competitive stage of the Tour de France.

Belgian battle in Tour de France sees Tim Wellens defeat Wout van Aert and Victor Campenaerts

On stage 15 of the Tour de France, Belgian riders Wout van Aert and Victor Campenaerts from Visma-Lease a Bike faced off against Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Despite their strong performance, they were unable to secure the stage win, ultimately finishing second and fourth. Van Aert and Campenaerts battled through the day's challenges, especially after their team leader Jonas Vingegaard fell behind due to a crash. While Wellens executed a smart and powerful long-range attack that none could follow, Campenaerts acknowledged the difficulty of competing against him. Despite not winning, both Van Aert and Campenaerts showed resilience and strong teamwork throughout the stage.

Key Takeaways

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Tim Wellens clinched victory in a tightly contested stage 15 of the Tour de France.

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Wout van Aert and Victor Campenaerts finished second and fourth respectively.

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Team dynamics played a crucial role with their leader sidelined after a crash.

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Wellens demonstrated strategic skill, making a decisive long-range attack.

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This stage indicates the fierce competition among top Belgian cyclists.

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Visma-Lease a Bike aims for stage wins as overall victory remains far off.

"Full gas all the way, it was pretty chaotic in the beginning."

Van Aert describes the intense demands of the race amid team challenges.

"We have a good relationship outside of cycling, but in the races, he's the guy that you don't want to have in the breakaway."

Campenaerts reflects on competing with Wellens during the stage.

"With how fast we are right now, it's so hard to bridge a 20-, 30-second gap."

Van Aert emphasizes the challenge of catching up to Wellens during the race.

"Second is not what we race for, so it's a bit disappointing, but it is what it is."

Campenaerts acknowledges the mixed feelings after finishing second.

The outcome of this stage highlights the intense competition within cycling, especially among familiar rivals. Tim Wellens’ ability to outmaneuver Van Aert and Campenaerts not only showcases his skill but also raises questions about strategy and teamwork among the Belgian cyclists. As the Tour progresses, their focus remains on securing stage wins despite the daunting gap in the overall standings. The pressure to perform under such conditions can lead to intriguing decisions in tactics and team dynamics, possibly affecting their final outcomes in this esteemed race.