Deceuninck-QuickStep failed to convert a strong lead-out in the stage 1 sprint and missed out on the victory in the stage 2 team time trial, which will be considered a disappointing Brussels Grand Départ on home soil at the Tour de France. The team's director Tom Steels was able to put their third place in the team time trial into perspective - "I don't think we've done a bad job, but [Jumbo-Visma] were on another level."
There's little time to contemplate about the performances in the Grand Départ because on Monday there's a new opportunity that suits the Belgian team. The 215km stage from Binche leads the peloton to Épernay in France. The four categorised climbs in the final kilometres and the uphill finish on the Côte de Mutigny surely suit French climber Julian Alaphilippe.
Steels confirmed as much saying, "The finish on Monday suits Julian but it suits many other riders too. It'll be a spicy finale. It'll be a nervous day for the GC-riders, too."
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Throughout the team time trial effort from the riders of team Deceuninck-QuickStep, it was clear that they were battling it out with Team Ineos. The British team took off first in Brussels and set a high standard. Team Katusha-Alpecin managed to dive under their times at the intermediate points halfway through the afternoon, but the team fell six seconds short at the finish line next to the iconic Atomium.
Also, the Deceuninck-QuickStep managed to be faster at the first intermediate point. They were third to last to start, and they were two seconds faster after 13km with 13:56. At the second intermediate point, the two teams both clocked 21:11. In the final kilometres, the balance tilted towards Ineos who finished under one second faster.
For Deceuninck-QuickStep manager Patrick Lefevere, it must have been quite a blow. At the team's press conference he stated that despite being multiple team time trial world champions, his riders never managed to win the team time trial in the Tour de France.
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