Jasper Philipsen wins a fourth stage at Tour de France

Jasper Philipsen has cemented his status as this year’s sprinting star when he claimed his fourth stage win in the Tour de France.

Even without the help of his lead-out man Mathieu van der Poel, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider proved strongest in the frenetic last kilometre of the 11th stage over 180km from Clermont-Ferrand to Moulins in central France on Wednesday.

With van der Poel not taking part in the sprint, Philipsen navigated his way through traffic at an average speed of 65.6 kmh in the last kilometre to join Mark Cavendish as the only active rider with at least four stage wins in a single Tour edition.

After Alexander Kristoff launched the sprint, Dylan Groenewegen, of the Australian Jayco-AlUla team, countered with Philipsen in his wheel.

The Belgian’s power was too much to handle for Groenewegen, who had to be content with a runner-up finish. Phil Bauhaus completed the stage podium.

There were no major changes in the general classification: Jonas Vingegaard kept his 17-second lead over two-time champion Tadej Pogacar, while Australian Jai Hindley remained in third, 2 minutes, 40 seconds off the pace.

“Everything went well today, even if Mathieu was not here,” said Philipsen. “He wasn’t feeling too well, he caught a little cold, but I think he might also have spared some energy for tomorrow’s stage.”

Groenewegen was dejected once again.

“I thought today was the day, we did everything perfectly but in the end someone was faster. We can only keep trying,” he said.

Thursday’s 12th stage is a 169km roller-coaster between Roanne and Belleville en Beaujolais.