Jasper Philipsen proved he is more than just a pure sprinter by winning the 17th stage of the Tour de France from a breakaway on Wednesday. The Belgian Alpecin rider conquered the 174.7-kilometer route from Chambéry to Voiron, which featured 2,200 meters of climbing through the Massif des Bauges and Chartreuse.
Philipsen, often labeled a sprinter, earned the moniker ‘king of the breakaway’ after his aggressive ride. His victory came as the peloton prepares for three consecutive days in the Alps starting Thursday, July 23. The stage was described as the last transition stage before the high mountains, and Philipsen seized his opportunity.
‘We knew the sprinter teams had a chance, but the profile favored a breakaway, and Jasper was perfect,’ a team spokesman said. The win adds a second stage victory for Philipsen in this year’s Tour.
Stage 18 will take riders into the Alps, with the legendary Alpe d’Huez climb expected to shake up the general classification. The race is now in its final week, with only five days remaining until Paris.
Article and image source: humanite.fr
