As Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) raised his hands in celebration, Michael Matthews (Bike Exchange-Jayco) bowed his head in disappointment after finishing second again in the uphill finish of the Tour de France.

After surviving a fast 5km climb from the lakeside in Lausanne to the top of the Stade Olympique, he sprinted into first place. He took the inside line at the curvy finish, and although he could see the line, he ran out of steam and his legs locked up.

It was Van Aert's seventh win of 2022 and his second in the Tour de France, following three consecutive second places earlier in the day. Matthews has had a number of impressive finishes, but has not been able to finish at the front of the pack.

"In a sprint like this two days ago, I was too slow. This time it was too early. But Wout was great today," Matthews admitted, trying to find comfort in his second-place finish.

"The team did a great race. But I finished second again. But I hope I can knock on the door of victory

"My wife was there at the finish and I was trying to win for her, but I just couldn't get there. I was second to Tadei (Pogachar) and second to Wout (van Art). Now it's my turn."

Matthews' BikeExchange-Jayco team, working with Jumbo-Visma, chased down the day's three breakaway riders, and as Matthews and a select lead group battled lactic acid and prepared for the sprint, the lone survivor on the climb to the finish, Fred Wright ( Bahrain Victorious) was caught.

"I think everyone knew the run-in was going to be hectic. I needed to be in a safe place. For me, I had to be in a good position down the climb, otherwise it was game over. The guys sacrificed a lot to get me in position, Jack (Bauer) was down there and Schultzi (Nick Schultz) was with me for most of the climb. If something went wrong, there was always someone with me, and in the sprint it was up to me. But Wout was faster."

"I tried to think about how my legs were feeling," Matthews added about the intense finale. The team did a great job all day controlling the race. The team did a great job controlling the race all day."

"I think I did a good race. I jumped with about 200 meters to go and it looked like a lot of guys like Taddeji and Wout were stuck on the left side. I wanted to jump on them but I wasn't fast enough."

"I knew Wout was strong. He was the guy to beat with a punchy finish, and so was Taddeji. Wout climbs with the best climbers.

As for his other chances to win a Tour stage for the first time since 2017, when he won two stages and a points prize with Team Sunweb, Matthews said there was no picture-perfect scenario.

"There are a couple of breakaway [stages] that look interesting. There was no stage in this Tour de France that I was sure I was going to win. I know I have enough punch to win a stage like Rodez, like the 5km climb, or the 2.6km climb the other day. There's no course that's perfect for me, but I gave it my all anyway."

"You can't choose the stages in the Tour de France, so you take what you can get. two days ago Taddeji was faster, but today Wout and Taddeji were evenly matched. This gives me confidence."