A tactical masterpiece that will remain in the history of the Giro d'Italia. Simon Yates called Wout van Aert the 'ultimate domestique' after the Belgian helped him turn the pink race around in the decisive stage in Sestriere.

Van Aert, one of the most talented riders in the group, capable of excelling on any terrain, once again demonstrated his extraordinary qualities as a luxury domestique. After a subdued spring, the Belgian champion gradually regained his form during the Giro, winning the stage on the Siena dirt road and collecting two second places behind Mads Pedersen.

In the queen stage of Sestriere, Van Aert put in a monumental performance: he joined the breakaway of the day, heroically resisted on the Colle delle Finestre to await the attack of his captain Yates. The two then joined forces on the descent and in the valley towards Sestriere, with the Belgian pushing hard, allowing Yates to gain almost five minutes on rivals Del Toro and Carapaz.

The Belgian was also fundamental for Olav Kooij's two sprint victories in the sixth and twenty-first stages with perfect lead-outs, in addition to the great triumph on the dirt roads of Siena ahead of Del Toro.