Crossing the finish line of the Tour de Flanders in Oudenaarde, Fred Wright didn't seem to know whether to be elated, disappointed, grateful, or frustrated. But in the cocktail shaker of post-race emotions, one ingredient kept rising to the top.

A smile occasionally broke out on his face as he tried to parse the relentless 274-km monument race into some sort of coherent narrative.

"I love this race," he said. It's so great."

In that moment, Fred Wright was everything to us.

Wright eventually finished eighth, in the chase group behind lone winner Taddei Pogachar and lone runner-up Mathieu Van Der Pol. On paper, this is a step back from last year's 7th place finish, which marked the beginning of his breakthrough as a professional rider, but by all other measures, it is a step up.

"We definitely raced better than last year. [We got to Koppenberg ahead of the three superhumans, which was nice. 'Okay, I'm in a better place than last year. But I was just hanging on for dear life.' [But his role became even more important when Bahrain Victorious leader Matej Mohoric crashed in an early group crash. Starting with a strong group in second place and below in Molenberg with 100 km to go, Wright built up a three-minute lead.

"Early in the race, I was thinking a little bit about competing in the crosswind sections. Early in the race, I had some strategy for the crosswind sections. [The crash was unfortunate. Matej wasn't in great shape after the crash, so I said, 'Fred, you have to follow me closely. Matej wasn't feeling well after the crash, so I said, 'Fred, make sure you follow me.'"

Wright then survived the selection with Aude Quaremont and Paterberg on the second lap, and Koppenberg, Thienberg, and Aude Kruisberg. However, Pogacher and van der Pol were closing in from behind, and they moved in front on the last lap at Kwaremont.

Wright was in the chasing group of seven and gave his all for a final podium finish.

"I want to give him [Pogachar] credit, but my mistake last year was trying to hold on too long. I saw Trentin leading him on the climb. But at the same time, I didn't have the legs to keep up with him that far.

"If I had tried, I would have blown it. I'm going to try to pace this Kvalemont, run at my own rhythm, see what happens, and hopefully get with some of the guys and bring him back.

"I tried to push a little harder in the last sprint, but my legs were empty. In Paterberg I was pressing where there was nothing to press."

Wright, at just 23 years of age, has finished in the top 10 in Flanders for the second year in a row.

He added, as a sign of his ambition.

Wright, of course, is hoping for the victory he came so close to many times last year.

"One day I will win," he insisted. If I can keep putting myself out there, that's half the battle. Today I was able to do that."

In between the above coherent post-race comments, more random exclamations were scattered.

"That was a close one!"

"That was close! Wright said at one point. 'I'm just glad I didn't blow it in Hotondo. That would have been embarrassing!" He later added abruptly.

This was a rider who was caught up in it all, and his elation was contagious.

Yeah, the Tour de Flanders is great.