Wout van Aert wins Tour of Denmark Stage 2 after dramatic photo finish review - 'I've never experienced anything like this before'

React to this story

Wout van Aert admitted he had "never experienced anything quite like it" after a dramatic photo finish review awarded him victory on Stage 2 of the Tour of Denmark, as the Visma-Lease a Bike rider secured his second consecutive stage win in the race.

'Utterly confused' - Van Aert snatches Stage 2 victory over Plowright in frantic photo finish

Video credit: TNT Sports

Van Aert, who missed the 2026 Tour de France through an elbow infection, appeared to have been beaten to the line by Jensen Plowright, with the Alpecin-Premier Tech sprinter initially announced as the winner following a tense bunch sprint in Skive.

However, after officials reviewed the finish image, the decision was overturned and Van Aert was confirmed as the stage winner by the narrowest of margins.

The victory marked Van Aert’s second consecutive stage win at the race since returning to competition and further strengthened his grip on the general classification.

Tour of Denmark

Van Aert looks forward with 'confidence' after comeback win at Tour of Denmark

02/08/2026 at 18:43

The 31-year-old also retained both the blue leader’s jersey and the green points jersey.

Reflecting on the chaotic finale, Van Aert admitted he had no idea who had won when he crossed the line.

"It was a chaotic finale," Van Aert said. "I had to launch my sprint quite early. Plowright suddenly came alongside me in the final metres, and as we crossed the line I genuinely had no idea who had won.

"I've never experienced anything like this before. Because of Plowright's reaction, I was convinced he had taken the victory.

"It wasn't until we saw the photo finish that everyone realized just how close it really was. I'm incredibly happy the win went my way.

Wout van Aert (centre) wins on the photo finish

Image credit: Getty Images

”This is a first for me. I had the feeling that Jensen was passing me over, but he was so sure of himself that I thought it had already been checked.

"Only when I saw the photo did I start to have doubts. In the end, the coin landed in my favour. A very special experience.”

The 182.9-kilometre stage from Glyngore to Skive featured an early seven-rider breakaway, which built a lead of around five minutes before the peloton began to close the gap.

Crosswinds later created tension as teams attempted to force splits, with several groups briefly forming before the race eventually came back together.

Late attacks threatened to disrupt the expected sprint finish, but Visma-Lease a Bike and other sprint-focused teams controlled the closing kilometres to set up a battle between the fast finishers.

With two wins from the opening two stages, Van Aert heads into Friday's queen stage in a commanding position, but he will be tested by a demanding 202.9km route from Fredericia to Vejle featuring a series of climbs.

The 2018 Tour of Denmark champion is expecting the race to be decided by the riders who have the legs to make the difference, rather than tactical manoeuvres.

"I think it will be a fair race, where the strongest riders will make the difference rather than tactics," Van Aert added.

Top 10 - Stage 2 Tour of Denmark