Published: 09:29, July 10, 2024
Philipsen finally bags stage win as Pogacar stays in control
By Reuters
Belgium's Jasper Philipsen celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Germany's Pascal Ackermann (left) and Eritrea's Biniam Girmay (wearing the best sprinter's green jersey) to win the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, on July 9, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND, France - Belgian Jasper Philipsen finally claimed victory in this year's Tour de France when he won the 10th stage with a textbook sprint on Tuesday.

Philipsen, who won four stages on the world's biggest race last year, benefited from a perfect lead-out by Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate and world champion Mathieu van der Poel to prevail after 187.3-km from Orleans.

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 Wednesday

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 Wednesday.

The peloton stayed compact throughout the day through a few rain showers but everyone stayed quiet after Monday's rest day.

Agitation came in the final five kilometers with the sprinters' teams looking to get the best position and Alpecin-Deceuninck did the best job.

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Wanty team's Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay (right) wearing the sprinter's green jersey sprints the finish line to win ahead of second-placed Alpecin-Deceuninck team's Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen (second left) and third-placed Lotto Dstny team's Belgian rider Arnaud De Lie (center) during the 8th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 183,5 km between Semur-en-Auxois and Colombey-les-deux-Eglises, on July 6, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Van der Poel crushed the pedals with 300 meters 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 leadout 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 breakway goes all the way.

Stage winner Belgium's Jasper Philipsen celebrates on the podium after the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, on July 9, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

"Last week was not our week and we intended on starting this week with a win," added Philipsen, who praised Van der Poel for his hard work in the finale.

"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."

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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 195.