Another Belgian wins a Tour de France stage
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) has taken his much desired stage win in the Tour de France. The 24-year old Belgian won the fifteenth stage over 202.5 hilly kilometres between Rodez and Carcassonne in a mass sprint ahead of green jersey Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), also a Belgian, and Dane Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo). Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) kept his yellow leader's jersey.
After a long list of honours in the Tour de France, Jasper Philipsen crossed the finish line as the winner today. Following a chaotic stage in the furnace of Carcassonne, Jasper Philipsen beat rivals Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen.
"It's a great feeling to win. I have been close many times in the Tour. I really know how it feels to lose," a satisfied Philipsen told Sporza, the sports channel of the Flemish public broadcaster.
"I felt Wout was coming close, but I was sure I was first when we crossed the finish line. I already knew the finish line from last year. In the last corner I was a bit boxed in and luckily I was able to slip past Mads Pedersen to go full speed."
To say Philipsen is pleased with his performance is an understatement.
"There are so many things going through your mind when you cross the finish line. We work so hard as a team and it feels great to finally take the first win on this 15th stage."
Philipsen finished second and third once earlier in the Tour. Last year he finished second and third three times. It is now the third Belgian to take a stage win in this Tour. Earlier Yves Lampaert and Wout Van Aert also finished first.
Tomorrow is the third rest day for the riders. Tuesday they will go into the Pyrenees with a stage of 178.5 km between Carcassonne and Foix. At the end of the stage the Port de Lers and the Mur de Péquère are two first category climbs.
(AHU)
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BELGA PHOTO VINCENT KALUT - Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck celebrates after winning stage fifteen of the Tour de France cycling race, from Rodez to Carcassonne (200km), France, on Sunday 17 July 2022. This year's Tour de France takes place from 01 to 24 July 2022.