Jasper Philipsen edges out Biniam Girmay in sprint for Tour de France Stage 10
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Alpecin-Deceuninck's Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen cycling past the finishing line to win ahead of second-placed Intermarche-Wanty's Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay (third from left) and third-placed Israel-Premier Tech's German rider Pascal Ackermann (left) in Stage 10 of the Tour de France between Orleans and Saint-Amand-Montrond on July 9.
PHOTO: AFP
SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND – Belgian Jasper Philipsen finally claimed victory in at the 2024 Tour de France when he won the 10th stage with a textbook sprint on July 9.
Philipsen, who won four stages in the world’s biggest race in 2023, benefited from a perfect lead-out by Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate and cyclo-cross world champion Mathieu van der Poel to prevail after 187.3km from Orleans to Saint-Amand-Montrond.
Eritrean Biniam Girmay, who has already won two stages in this edition, took second place with German Pascal Ackermann coming home third.
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey after an uneventful day as the peloton gears up for a tricky mountain stage in the Massif Central on July 10.
He protected his 33-second overall lead over Remco Evenepoel, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard 1min 15sec behind in third.
The peloton stayed compact throughout the day through a few rain showers but everyone stayed quiet after the rest day on July 8.
Agitation came in the final five kilometres with the sprinters’ teams looking to get the best position and Alpecin-Deceuninck did the best job.
Van der Poel crushed the pedals with 300 metres to go, leaving Philipsen to finish it off comfortably for his seventh career win on the Tour.
It was a big relief for the 26-year-old, whose best result was a second place since the start in Florence.
“We came on the Tour de France with a strong lead-out train and it paid off today. The mark is checked now we can continue the Tour with more confidence,” Philipsen said.
“We just had to keep believing, but every time you waste an opportunity, it’s gone, and chances are limited, sometimes the breakaway goes all the way. Last week was not a great week, an endless week. We had some bad luck...
“We knew the corner was tricky, and everyone is growing. Maybe we didn’t start in the best shape. There’s still some nice stages to come.
“It was a tough week and it was already Stage 10, and we have five sprints without a win. Girmay is doing a very good ride so far, he is very far ahead, I think we just concentrate on the stages.”
Philipsen also praised van der Poel for his hard work in the finale.
He said: “Mathieu is a really strong guy. When he can show his power and play his part, there aren’t many riders who can emulate him. Having the world champion as your lead-out guy is fantastic.”
The only bad news for Philipsen is that he did not regain much ground on Girmay, as his rival stayed firmly in control of the points classification.
Girmay has 267 points to Philipsen’s 193. REUTERS, AFP
