Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has been cleared to start out stage 4 of the Tour de France after recovering in a single day from the crash that prevented him from competing within the first bunch dash of the race.
Alpecin-Deceuninck introduced the information on the morning of stage 4, when in addition they confirmed that lead-out man Jonas Rickaert would take the beginning in Pinerolo after coming down in the identical crash.
“Quickly the fourth stage will begin in the Tour de France with Jasper Philipsen, who crashed yesterday. Fortunately our prime sprinter had evening and appears to have recovered nicely from the bruise and abrasion on the correct buttock,” learn a social media put up from the crew.
“Additionally Jonas Rickaert, who suffered a bruise on the correct decrease leg, is feeling higher after remedy with ice and an anti-inflammatory. We begin at full energy once more this afternoon and Jasper and Jonas can get better a bit extra in the present day with the subsequent dash stage in thoughts.”
Philipsen was the Tour’s greatest sprinter in 2023, netting three stage wins, however confirmed simply how a lot luck is required to win even one dash on the Tour as his Alpecin-Deceuninck crew noticed every thing go incorrect within the last method to Turin.
Even earlier than he crashed, Philipsen’s possibilities had been hampered as world champion and prime lead-out man Mathieu van der Poel suffered a double puncture – his first of the season in accordance with crew supervisor Christoph Roodhooft – 6km from the end, leaving the practice at a diminished energy and out of place.
Then, as Philipsen and the remaining Alpecin riders, who’re famend for his or her means to maneuver up late and time their cost to the entrance, tried to get into place for the ultimate two corners, a crash additionally involving Israel-Premier Tech and Cofidis noticed their likelihood to win go up in smoke.
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Their sprinter hit the deck at excessive velocity and was noticed on the published with a teammate’s arm on his again as they rode away from the incident, ultimately crossing the road in 118th.
“The harm shouldn’t be too dangerous contemplating the circumstances. I believe I hit the bottom at at the very least 60kph however fortunately it was highway,” stated Philipsen to Belgian media together with Het Nieuwsblad.
“We had been capable of change gears fairly nicely after Mathieu’s flat tyre, however then riders in entrance of us acquired caught up and I had no place to keep away from them. That may be a disgrace, particularly since you miss the dash and thus factors for the inexperienced jersey.”
Whereas he was irritated to overlook out on the opening dash likelihood after dominating all however one of many flat bunch finishes in 2023, Philipsen is aware of he ought to get 5 or 6 extra alternatives so as to add to his six Tour stage wins.
However his inexperienced jersey defence took a giant hit, with him already over 30 factors down on the likes of Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and history-making stage winner Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty).
“We have not had a constructive day, however thankfully there are nonetheless alternatives. However in fact, I’d have preferred it to be totally different,” stated Philipsen.
“I am already joyful that I can proceed my Tour and that it is not too dangerous in any case, however I’d have preferred to take part. I am boiling a bit inside, however that is biking and it is a part of it.”
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