"We did the preparation, we have a full lead-out squad, we are here for stage wins not for the GC, and there's always expectations," Jasper Philipsen said after his stage 17 victory in the Tour de France. This statement summed up the mindset of Philipsen and his team as they worked to end a frustrating string of near misses during the race.
A long-awaited breakthrough
Philipsen, 28, had gone through a rough phase of the race, struggling to find form and feeling the pressure to deliver results. This win marked his first of the 2024 Tour, ending a streak of near misses where he had finished in the top five five times. The win was especially significant as it showcased his resilience and determination after a difficult start to the race.
The victory was made possible by Mathieu van der Poel, who provided a strong lead-out, allowing Philipsen to surge ahead of Mauro Schmid and Olav Kooij — both previous stage winners in this year’s race. Van der Poel, a former world champion and elite one-day classic specialist, has played a key role in multiple stage wins for Philipsen. His contributions were crucial not only in this victory but also in previous successes during the race.
Philipsen said the first part of the Tour had been "horrible" for him and that the pressure to perform had been hard to manage. The Belgian admitted that he had been feeling the weight of expectations, despite his team not explicitly demanding results from him.
A tight sprint race and a changing green jersey battle
Philipsen’s win added 50 points to his tally in the green jersey race, moving him within seven points of Mads Pedersen, who had previously held the lead. Meanwhile, Tadej Pogacar, the overall race leader, finished in the main peloton. However, there were concerns for Pogacar's UAE Emirates-XRG team as Adam Yates — a key climbing lieutenant — struggled during the stage due to a stomach issue. He finished more than 26 minutes behind Philipsen, raising questions about his ability to support the race leader in future mountain stages.
The race unfolded in a hectic fashion. A breakaway group formed early and managed to stay ahead for over 100 kilometers. Mads Pedersen joined and won the intermediate sprint 27km from the finish. But Jasper Stuyven soon went on a solo breakaway and held on for a short time before being caught 4km from the finish. This back-and-forth nature of the race highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Tour de France.
Van der Poel played a key role in keeping the peloton under control and ensuring a clean sprint for Philipsen, showcasing the deep strength of the Alpecin Premier Tech team in the final kilometers. His efforts were instrumental in setting up Philipsen for the win.
The importance of Van der Poel
Philipsen said that Mathieu van der Poel's presence is a "big, big advantage" for his team and for himself personally. Van der Poel, a former world champion and record eight-time cyclocross world champion, has the unique ability to lead out riders at the top of the field. His skill set in classics and his experience in high-pressure situations make him an invaluable asset.
Philipsen said that when Van der Poel leads out, it's both a responsibility and a chance to perform. "You want to deliver, you want to win because... not many guys have the privilege to have a lead-out guy like him," Philipsen said. This sentiment reflects the deep trust and synergy between the two athletes, who have worked together to achieve multiple stage victories during the race.
Van der Poel's versatility is another key factor in his value to the team. With a history of winning prestigious one-day classics like Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his lead-out role. His background in cyclocross also gives him an edge in handling different terrains and conditions.