“This win feels great”, Van Aert commented afterwards. “It took a while before I could cheer again, but my patience was rewarded today. The emotional release after the finish was great. I missed the taste of victory.”  

The peloton rode the last Vuelta stage on Portuguese soil. Red jersey wearer Van Aert again had set his sights on the stage win. In pursuit of four early escapees, Team Visma | Lease a Bike – with a strong Robert Gesink - took control in the peloton. Then the riders again prepared for a bunch sprint. Van Aert started early and sprinted convincingly to a liberating win.  

“The confidence was good. I felt I had good legs. That was also the case yesterday. I was beaten by Groves, so I knew I had to start a bit earlier today. A long sprint remains one of my strengths. I am happy I could finish it for the boys. The team rode a fantastic race.”  

Van Aert's last victory was at the end of February. That was when the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader won Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. A month later - in Dwars door Vlaanderen - a crash marked an early end to his spring season. After a long rehabilitation period, he is back.  

“This is where I belong”, Van Aert concluded. “I race to win. I came to this Vuelta with enormous motivation. I was keen to win a stage and today is the day. I had doubts in the months following my crash, but during the Tour de France I felt that I could reach my best level sooner or later. This result makes me very happy.”