(Nogaro) Belgian Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin) claimed his second victory in two days in the Tour de France by winning the sprint during the fourth stage on Tuesday at the Nogaro racing circuit.
Britain’s Adam Yates (UAE) retains the leader’s yellow jersey after a particularly lazy day for the peloton on the eve of the first mountain stage in the Pyrenees.
Like the day before in Bayonne, the Australian Caleb Ewan and the German Phil Bauhaus complete the podium, while the Frenchman Bryan Coquard took fourth place.
The final on the Nogaro circuit was marked by three crashes which notably knocked out Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen, one of Philipsen’s main rivals.
He confirmed that he was undoubtedly the best sprinter of the moment, still ideally led by his leader Mathieu van der Poel.
The Belgian, who also wears the green jersey, remains on four successes in the last four massive sprints in the Tour de France after his victory the day before and those last year in Carcassonne and on the Champs-Élysées.
Previously, the stage had looked like a long procession, conducive to a siesta, animated only by a hopeless breakaway from two Norman riders, Benoit Cosnefroy and Anthony Delaplace.
Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) was the top Canadian in 47th place, matching the winner’s time of four hours, 25 minutes and 28 seconds (4:25:28). His teammates Hugo Houle and Guillaume Boivin also set the same time, but in 61st and 117th places respectively.
On Wednesday, the race will completely change its appearance with the first mountain stage between Pau and Laruns, with Marie Blanque’s Soudet passes on the program.
67. Hugo Houle (CAN/IPT) 16Â : 52.115. Guillaume Boivin (CAN/IPT) 28Â : 13.