Special envoy to Bayonne
Winner in Carcassonne and on the Champs-Elysées in 2022, the Belgian Jasper Philipsen, well launched by Mathieu Van der Poel, won the first sprint of the Tour 2023. The marshals watched the sprint for a long time to dissect the last meters and see if the Belgian had not had a dangerous driving by going out of its trajectory and closing the door to Wout Van Aert against the barriers. After a few minutes of waiting, the Belgian had the confirmation of his 3rd victory on the Grande Boucle. A sprint which confirms that he is currently the best in the world in this exercise today.
Accompanied by the polka dot jersey, the American Neilson Powless, busy picking up points for the mountain classification, the Arkéa-Samsic rider spent a large part of the day in front. Leaving as soon as the flag was lowered, the duo collaborated well. After taking the points he coveted, the American let the Frenchman slip away, at the 112th km. Only. Carried by the support of the crowd and the support of his wife, via the headset. The Breton was caught at the 156th km. 31 km from the finish. After a crazy day that he is not about to forget. He was awarded the combativeness prize.
On the attack on Saturday in the Pike coast, the difficulty of the 1st stage, winner on Sunday in San Sebastian, the Cofidis rider found the strength to take a short outing this Monday to take points during of the intermediate sprint to keep his green jersey (with the same number of points as Philipsen). And extend a famous start to the Tour. With smile.
The Jumbo-Visma team spared no effort in the final package, ten kilometers on a wide track, but the Belgian who lacked freedom against the barriers (the stewards finally considered that Philipsen had not committed of fault and that its trajectory was not dangerous), did not manage to give its full power. He got up and had to settle for 5th place (preceded by Philipsen, Bauhaus, Ewan and Jakobsen). 2nd in the 2nd stage, Sunday, surprised by the start of Victor Lafay, Van Aert turns around. He no longer likes success and must nourish a deep frustration.
In 2022, the Dutchman had quickly put his big thighs in the spotlight, before the peloton left Denmark. Winner of the 3rd stage, he was reconciled with the world of cycling. In Bayonne, everything was in place for him to stand out. The Team Jayco sprinter had to settle for 8th place, ahead of Ewan (3rd), Jakobsen (4th) or Cavendish (6th).
The Slovak is playing his last Tour, with the hope of managing to catch a little light. The leader of the TotalEnergies team observed the final packing from a distance, without managing to slip into the fight for the final victory. Finally 19th in the first sprint of this Tour. So near, so far…