Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen secured his first victory in this year's Tour de France by winning the 10th stage on Tuesday, showcasing a flawless sprint. Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar from UAE Team Emirates maintained his overall lead, keeping the yellow jersey after a calm day, as the race prepares for a challenging mountain stage in the Massif Central on Wednesday.
Philipsen, who had previously won four stages in last year's race, capitalized on a superb lead-out from his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate and world champion Mathieu van der Poel to triumph over the 187.3-km (116 miles) route from Orleans. Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, who has already secured two stage wins in this edition, finished second, with German Pascal Ackermann taking third place.
The peloton remained cohesive throughout the day despite occasional rain showers, with all riders maintaining a low profile following Monday's rest day. Tensions rose in the final five kilometers as the sprinters' teams vied for optimal positioning, with Alpecin-Deceuninck executing their strategy flawlessly. Van der Poel initiated a powerful sprint 300 meters from the finish, setting up Philipsen for a comfortable victory, marking his seventh win in the Tour de France.
This win was a significant relief for the 26-year-old Philipsen, whose previous best result since the start in Florence was a second-place finish. Philipsen expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We entered the Tour de France with a robust lead-out team, and today it paid off. The goal is achieved, and we can proceed with greater confidence." He also acknowledged the importance of seizing opportunities, noting, "We had to keep believing, but every missed chance is lost, and opportunities are scarce." Philipsen highlighted last week's lackluster performance and their determination to start this week on a winning note, crediting Van der Poel for his crucial role in the final sprint.
However, Philipsen's victory did not significantly impact his position relative to Girmay in the points classification, as Girmay remains in control with 267 points to Philipsen's 195.
