Jasper Philipsen, power 4. The Belgian from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team won the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2023 on Wednesday between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins. His fourth victory since the start in Bilbao.
After the grueling day the day before in the heat between Vulcania and Issoire, the peloton offered a little respite with a flat stage of 179 km between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins. From kilometer zero, the breakaway of the day formed. Three riders left at the front without forcing too much. Andrey Amador (EF), Matis Louvel (Arkéa Samsic) and Daniel Oss (TotalEnergie) had a great day up front.
Without a fight, the fugitives took the lead in the difficulties of the day, Louvel took a point in the mountain classification, Oss two. Anecdotal units, Neilson Powless (EF) retains the lead in the climbers standings and will defend his tunic this weekend in the Alps. 48 km from the finish, seeing the peloton come back strong, Matis Louvel and Andrey amador got up, leaving Daniel Oss to finish the day alone at the head of the race. In his element, the Italian rider pressed hard on his pedals to hold on until 14 km from the finish and afford the bib of the combative of the day
Jasper Philipsen has a substantial lead at the top of the points classification, yet the Green Jersey continues to work to take points. The Belgian once again settled the intermediate sprint of the peloton.
In the final, the rider from Alpecin-Deceunink was deprived of his starter Mathieu Van der Poel and had to maneuver alone to be well placed before the massive sprint. As since the start of this Tour, no one is able to compete with the best sprinter in the world. Philipsen got stuck in the wheel of Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla) and overtook the Dutchman in the last meters to offer himself a fourth victory in this 2023 edition of the Tour de France.
Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was once again stuck in the last few meters and had to settle for ninth place. The first Frenchman of the day is once again Bryan Coquard (Cofidis). Overtaken in the final, the Habs managed to snatch a fourth place. In addition to a new victory, the sixth of his career on the Grande Boucle, Jasper Philipsen takes a serious option on the Green Jersey which he hopes to bring back to Paris. The Belgian is 145 points ahead of his runner-up Bryan Coquard.
In general no change, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) keeps his tunic for 17 seconds ahead of his rival Tadej Pogacar (UAE). Tomorrow Thursday, the peloton will leave Roanne for 168.8 km to Belleville-en-Beaujolais. With a complicated final, the fighters could have a good card to play.
