Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has been cleared to begin 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 additionally 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 within the Tour de France with Jasper Philipsen, who crashed yesterday. Fortunately our prime sprinter had a great night time and appears to have recovered effectively from the bruise and abrasion on the correct buttock,” learn a social media publish from the workforce.
“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 power once more this afternoon and Jasper and Jonas can get better a bit extra right now 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 workforce noticed every thing go flawed within the remaining strategy 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 line with workforce supervisor Christoph Roodhooft – 6km from the end, leaving the prepare at a decreased power and out of place.
Then, as Philipsen and the remaining Alpecin riders, who’re famend for his or her capacity 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 pace and was noticed on the published with a teammate’s arm on his again as they rode away from the incident, finally crossing the road in 118th.
“The injury shouldn’t be too dangerous contemplating the circumstances. I feel I hit the bottom at no less than 60kph however fortunately it was a great street,” stated Philipsen to Belgian media together with Het Nieuwsblad.
“We had been in a position to change gears fairly effectively after Mathieu’s flat tyre, however then riders in entrance of us bought caught up and I had no place to keep away from them. That could be a disgrace, particularly since you miss the dash and thus factors for the inexperienced jersey.”
Whereas he was aggravated 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 happily there are nonetheless alternatives. However in fact, I might have appreciated it to be completely different,” stated Philipsen.
“I am already glad that I can proceed my Tour and that it isn’t too dangerous in spite of everything, however I might have appreciated to take part. I am boiling a bit inside, however that is biking and it is a part of it.”
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