A curious episode occurred at the finish line in Carcassonne at the end of the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France: Julian Alaphilippe won the sprint for third place, beating Van Aert and Laurance, and raised his arms to the sky, convinced he had won the stage.

The Frenchman spent the second half of the race in the chasing group with about fifteen other riders. In the final kilometers, this group caught up with the six riders chasing Wellens and Campenaerts. Alaphilippe was convinced he had reached the front of the race, unaware of Wellens's solo breakaway or Campenaerts's subsequent attempt.

The reason is simple: the former world champion had crashed in the early stages of the race and his radio had broken in the accident; as a result, his team was unable to update him on the dynamics of the race.

As soon as he crossed the finish line, Van Aert immediately explained the misunderstanding to Alaphilippe who, despite the disappointment, will be able to try again in the last two stages, which are suited to his characteristics.