It's the second season in a row Van Aert is underperforming. I think it's all about his mental state. As a familyman, the (huge) risks, indeed the crashes during his career. This season again, a horrible crash with severe damage, revalidation, starting almost from zero again. Another minor crash in this Tour. It all gets into his head. In addition, his explosiveness and speed also seem to have decreased somewhat. That's also a physical problem. I'm a bit afraid that he will go the way of Sagan. But not for the same reasons. Sagan no longer lived and behaved as a top athlete after the age of 28.
It remains strange that Van Aert, who resumed training weeks earlier than Evenepoel and even more so his teammate Vingegaard, is far behind in his fitness level.