2023-07-12 16:06:06
Top sprinter Jasper Philipsen has struck once more. The Belgian from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team clinched his fourth stage win at this year’s Tour de France on Wednesday. After 180 km from Clermont-Ferrand to Moulins, Philipsen once more proved his class in the final sprint. There were no changes at the top of the overall standings on the last flat stage before the Alps. Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard is still 17 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogacar.
“It’s an incredible Tour so far. I can’t get over how well it’s going,” said Philipsen, who had to do without the help of top driver Mathieu van der Poel. The 25-year-old Philipsen was still able to make the decisive attack in the finish, winning ahead of Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen and German Phil Bauhaus.
Three escapees had tried their luck at first, but 13.5 kilometers from the finish the field was together once more and the sprint preparation began. Pogacar’s UAE team provided entertainment. “Okay guys, plan C. We jump the tiger. If the crocodiles have to swim, you jump,” radioed a sports director. It was initially unclear what the instruction meant. It’s possible that the UAE team was joking. This year, radio messages from the teams will be integrated into the TV broadcast for the first time during the tour.
As the best Austrian, Marco Haller crossed the finish line in 25th place, while Felix Gall (36th), who was fighting for a top ten place overall, was seven seconds behind, as were Vingegaard and Pogacar.
On Thursday there is already a foretaste of the Alps. On the way to the Beaujolais wine region, two category 2 climbs have to be mastered in the last 50 of the 168.8 kilometers. If the classification favorites take it easy, a breakaway group will win the day among themselves.
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