Nidhish Waghmare
Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck secured his second stage victory at the 2024 Tour de France in a thrilling yet chaotic sprint finish on Stage 13. The Belgian rider edged out compatriot Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and German rival Pascal Ackermann ( Bora-Hansgrohe) to claim victory in Pau.
While Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) remains firmly in control of the yellow jersey, the stage was not without its drama. A crash in the final meters involving several riders served as a stark reminder of the ever-present dangers of the peloton.
Philipsen Claims Second Stage Win
Philipsen, the 2023 green jersey winner, capitalized on a perfectly timed surge to secure the win.
“This was my best feeling so far in the Tour de France,” Philipsen said after the stage. “We didn’t have the best start. Some bad luck, but I’m happy we could turn it around. We are already with two stage wins, so it’s not a bad Tour. I am really happy with my sprint.”
Stressful Stage Sets Up Dramatic Finish
Despite the seemingly flat 165.3km route from Agen to Pau, Stage 13 proved to be anything but a relaxed day for the riders. The presence of Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) in a breakaway group forced the peloton to maintain a relentless pace throughout the stage.
Teams like Jumbo-Visma applied constant pressure to prevent Yates from gaining any significant ground in the general classification. This tension only intensified as the peloton encountered crosswinds within the final 60km, leading to splits and a chaotic conclusion.
Crash Mars Sprint Finish
The final sprint was marred by a crash initiated by Belgian rider Maxim van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) who made an aggressive move, shoulder-barging compatriot Amaury Capiot (Arkea-Samsic) in the process. This incident triggered a pile-up that brought down several riders, including Cees Bol (Astana Qazaqstan Team) and Arnaud de Lie (Lotto-Dstny).
The crash served as a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers of racing in the peloton, especially following the withdrawal of GC contender Primoz Roglic due to consecutive day crashes.
Stage 14: A Brutal Ascent Awaits
The Tour de France takes on the iconic Col du Tourmalet on Stage 14, a mountainous 151.9km route from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet. This brutal climb is expected to significantly shake up the general classification as riders vie for precious seconds.
Pogacar will be looking to maintain his lead, while his rivals, including Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step) and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), will be aiming to capitalize on any weaknesses shown by the defending champion.
With key domestique Juan Ayuso forced to withdraw due to illness after testing positive for COVID-19, Pogacar may face an even steeper challenge in the upcoming Pyrenees stages
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