The third Tour stage of this year starts in Antwerp. A lot of cycling fans who mention Antwerp and the Tour spontaneously think of Marc Wauters. Fourteen years ago he attacked in the final kilometer, left his breakaway companions behind and won the stage in Antwerp. On the podium he could put on the yellow jersey as well and wear it the next day in another Belgian stage. What had been a dream before the start, became reality.

“It’s great to get the yellow jersey as an extra. As a little boy you dream of participating in the Tour de France. When you win a stage and also get to wear the yellow jersey it’s a fantastic moment. The next day we rode through my home town Lummen and that was the first time for me as a pro. To do that in the Tour with the yellow jersey on my shoulders was incredible," he said.

Many pro riders have the same dream as Wauters and want to ride through their country with the yellow jersey on. They hope to get an opportunity in one of the Tour stages.

“Each of those guys are real pros and perfectly know what to do. They have to keep on working hard and take care of themselves day after day. There will be an opportunity to win a stage one day. You need to be patient and when the opportunity is there, you need to grab it with both hands," he said.

The third stage of this year’s Tour finishes on the Mur de Huy, famous as finish of the Flèche Wallonne. Several riders will be looking forward to this stage, also Belgians of course.

“Definitely, the Belgians will be very motivated to make something of it. They will want to show themselves. Although it will be difficult against riders like Valverde and Rodríguez. But you never know of course," he said.