2023-07-12 19:17:07
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) wins the 11th stage of the Tour de France, between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins, July 12, 2023. ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
Everything is a matter of perspective. For the riders of the Tour de France, the 11th stage, Wednesday July 12, between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins was relatively relaxing; followers and spectators will more readily describe it as boring. Admittedly, there was rain in the last thirty kilometers, to break the monotony a bit… But the scenario was the same as on three of the other four flat days of this 110th edition: a victory for Jasper Philipsen after a massive sprint. The fourth this year, the sixth of his career on the event.
The same scenario, except for one detail. Unlike his successes in Bayonne, Nogaro (Gers) and Bordeaux, the Belgian from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team was not led by his luxury pilot fish, Mathieu van der Poel. Raymond Poulidor’s grandson was “a little sick today”said the winner of the day at the microphone of France Télévisions. “But I also think he’s trying to save a bit for tomorrow, it’s a good stage for him. »
Jasper Philipsen reinforces his green jersey and proves that if the Dutch prodigy is a centerpiece of his system, he is not necessarily essential. “I can also win without Mathieu. He makes things easier for me. There I had to find the right wheel. I took that of [Dylan] Groenewegen, it was he who launched [le sprint], it was perfect. » The Dutchman from Jayco Alula finished 2nd, the German Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious), 3rd.
Read also on the Tour de France 2023: Jasper Philipsen wins the sprint at Moulins and signs his fourth victory
“For a while, I thought today would be the day. But in the end, there was someone faster”, commented, resigned, the dolphin of the day. The only sprinter still in activity to have signed four successes in the same Tour de France with the Briton Mark Cavendish, Jasper Philipsen is beginning to despair his colleagues in the peloton. “This guy is currently the best in the world. Hat ! », greeted Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), 5th this Wednesday and who deprived the Belgian of a clear round by raising his arms in Limoges. Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), at the foot of the podium, said nothing else: “There are stronger than us, we must admit defeat. He’s a hell of a runner, congratulations to him, there’s no comparison. »
“I wish good luck to everyone”
Before the start, we already knew that this 10th day would be the preserve of sprinters. For good reason: this stage was their last opportunity to shine before the third week; the time of a crossing of Beaujolais, tomorrow, and the peloton of the Grande Boucle is already back in the mountains on Friday.
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