some of it was mind games obviously but if he was that on that kind of form I think we'd have heard pre tour, simply because I think at some point in the race he'd have to show it and you cant pretend it away by saying oh yeah he just rode into form.
It would be much more of a mental hit on UAE to for JV to say upfront yeah we are back, we are just as super strong as you, well except from WVA who seems to be still impacted by those injuries from the same race JV got injured in, but hey maybe his family just dont love him as much