@Rackham
I get it on why some might feel JV messed up today. As in a way they did. They didn't win the stage. But this is a rather superficial take on it. In addition this race has 8 stages and it would be a bit over the top if JV would win them all. Would made me question their tactics.
Anyway the way they did it is in my opinion OK. That is JV likely could have win this stage by fully committing to that goal. In my opinion it's a good thing they didn't. Their main objective is for van Aert in green and for JV to take overall. Not just on this race but on the Tour. Personally i don't believe that can achieve that by always racing 100%. And to put even more burden on themselves. Like for example investing much effort in winning rather indecisive stages or needlessly defending yellow.
There is one thing that goes a bit against what i said. And that is they should likely never allow for Pogi to take yellow. Still here there is some room for tactics. For example to let him go and to regroup after to reduce the damage. And for example on the next day to profit from that. But this is rather risky approach and best to avoid it if possible.