{"id":2048348,"date":"2026-07-16T17:24:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2048348"},"modified":"2026-07-16T17:24:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:24:04","slug":"if-i-get-beaten-thats-the-way-it-is-jasper-philipsen-forced-to-accept-defeat-as-rivals-soudal-quickstep-celebrate-their-third-tour-de-france-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2048348","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is&#8217; &#8211; Jasper Philipsen forced to accept defeat as rivals Soudal-QuickStep celebrate their third Tour de France win"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J6Q2Xhyw4tnatsz4rBNvHd-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J6Q2Xhyw4tnatsz4rBNvHd-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Another bunch sprint decides stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France after breakaway rider caught in final 2km\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHznLBDLdWJWt3ABy4iJwY-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHznLBDLdWJWt3ABy4iJwY-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Surprise winner in the bunch sprint at stage 11 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Another bunch sprint despite a late flurry of attacks at stage 12 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is&#8217; &#8211; Jasper Philipsen forced to accept defeat as rivals Soudal-QuickStep celebrate their third Tour de France win<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T17:24:04Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Alpecin-Premier Tech give Philipsen another great leadout but Belgian lacks winning speed<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-dc520538-8138-11f1-8afa-e5c9d03a37de\">As Tim Merlier and his Soudal-QuickStep team celebrated their third sprint victory at the Tour de France, Jasper Philipsen could only roll past his rival&#8217;s team bus, dismount and quickly disappear onto the Alpecin-Premier Tech bus to watch a replay of the sprint and try to understand why he again missed out on victory.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech again set up Philipsen with a three-rider lead-out train in the final kilometre, avoiding the late crash, dragging him to the front, and with Mathieu van der Poel his last man. Philipsen kicked first but was soon matched by the other sprinters, with Merlier coming late off the wheel and through the middle to win.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dc520538-8138-11f1-8afa-e5c9d03a37de-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen could only accept defeat yet again.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course we look at the images. I think we did a perfect job with the team. We did what was planned, and the sprint was good. Unfortunately, the others are better, we just have to accept that,&#8221; Philipsen told <em>NBC<\/em>&#8216;s Steve Porino and the Flemish media, when he later came off the bus to face the media.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen has contested all five sprint finishes of the 2026 Tour but each time has lacked the final burst of speed or clear line needed to win. He finished fifth in Pau and Bordeaux, fourth in Bergerac and third in Nevers and now third again in Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He is fast but not fast enough to win sprints as he was in previous years. He has won ten stages across the last four editions of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen&#8217;s only consolation is that he is third in the green points jersey competition, only 46 points behind Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think my level is good. I wasn&#8217;t on my level early in the Tour, but in the last few days I was feeling really good. Today I was also feeling really good. If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is,&#8221; Philipsen said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne was probably the last chance for the sprinters, with the GC battle and breakaways likely to dominate the remaining stages.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stage 21 to Paris is no longer a pure sprinters stage, with the peloton facing three climbs of the C\u00f4te de la Butte Montmartre, the last ending just 10km from the finish on the Champs \u00c9lys\u00e9es.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I already have 10 stage wins in the Tour, and I&#8217;m very happy with my palmares. We have worked super hard, and maybe the victory will come or maybe not. We&#8217;ll see what the Tour brings,&#8221; Philipsen said, confirming he prefers to suffer and lose at the Tour than be at home.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;d rather be in the Tour de France than at home on the sofa, so I&#8217;ll go on until Paris and enjoy every moment of the Tour,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-748dc3d2-8139-11f1-ad61-654122b9845d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ve never really had a fight&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen unite again to hunt Tour de France stages<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jasper Philipsen reinstated after initial relegation in Tour de France stage 11 sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baloise Ladies Tour: Redemption for Charlotte Kool with stage 2 sprint victory and overall race lead<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Courses will look different&#8217; due to forest fire reroute at Leadville Trail 100 MTB as organisers given &#8216;green light&#8217; for August 15 races<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Bashed and bruised but Uno-X Mobility trio race on after heavy Tour de France sprint crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baloise Ladies Tour: Nienke Veenhoven outpowers Charlotte Kool to secure stage 1 sprint victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier wins sprint skirmish on stage 12 ahead of major pileup<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mads Pedersen reveals plans to retire after home World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Courses will look different&#8217; due to forest fire reroute at Leadville Trail 100 MTB as organisers given &#8216;green light&#8217; for August 15 races<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Bashed and bruised but Uno-X Mobility trio race on after heavy Tour de France sprint crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Clothing &amp; Shoes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We are closely monitoring professional cycling&#8217; \u2013 Could former Tour de France sponsor Nike make a comeback to the sport?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Are the Tour de France breakaways doing enough to try and beat UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Tadej Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Medical updates flow after stage 12 Tour de France crash \u2013 Two collarbone breaks among the damage tally<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol 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ways<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is&#8217; &#8211; Jasper Philipsen forced to accept defeat as rivals Soudal-QuickStep celebrate their third Tour de France win<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T17:24:04Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Alpecin-Premier Tech give Philipsen another great leadout but Belgian lacks winning speed<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" 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Philipsen kicked first but was soon matched by the other sprinters, with Merlier coming late off the wheel and through the middle to win.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dc520538-8138-11f1-8afa-e5c9d03a37de-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen could only accept defeat yet again.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course we look at the images. I think we did a perfect job with the team. We did what was planned, and the sprint was good. Unfortunately, the others are better, we just have to accept that,&#8221; Philipsen told <em>NBC<\/em>&#8216;s Steve Porino and the Flemish media, when he later came off the bus to face the media.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen has contested all five sprint finishes of the 2026 Tour but each time has lacked the final burst of speed or clear line needed to win. He finished fifth in Pau and Bordeaux, fourth in Bergerac and third in Nevers and now third again in Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He is fast but not fast enough to win sprints as he was in previous years. He has won ten stages across the last four editions of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen&#8217;s only consolation is that he is third in the green points jersey competition, only 46 points behind Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think my level is good. I wasn&#8217;t on my level early in the Tour, but in the last few days I was feeling really good. Today I was also feeling really good. If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is,&#8221; Philipsen said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne was probably the last chance for the sprinters, with the GC battle and breakaways likely to dominate the remaining stages.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stage 21 to Paris is no longer a pure sprinters stage, with the peloton facing three climbs of the C\u00f4te de la Butte Montmartre, the last ending just 10km from the finish on the Champs \u00c9lys\u00e9es.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I already have 10 stage wins in the Tour, and I&#8217;m very happy with my palmares. We have worked super hard, and maybe the victory will come or maybe not. We&#8217;ll see what the Tour brings,&#8221; Philipsen said, confirming he prefers to suffer and lose at the Tour than be at home.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;d rather be in the Tour de France than at home on the sofa, so I&#8217;ll go on until Paris and enjoy every moment of the Tour,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-748dc3d2-8139-11f1-ad61-654122b9845d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aKqhbj6iZ7snSxFMJJpDLP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ve never really had a fight&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen unite again to hunt Tour de France stages<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/md4P5ZZkiGWLkFRSrW9zv5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jasper Philipsen reinstated after initial relegation in Tour de France stage 11 sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baloise Ladies Tour: Redemption for Charlotte Kool with stage 2 sprint victory and overall race lead<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Courses will look different&#8217; due to forest fire reroute at Leadville Trail 100 MTB as organisers given &#8216;green light&#8217; for August 15 races<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Bashed and bruised but Uno-X Mobility trio race on after heavy Tour de France sprint crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTp2FivrkovhbBTjzyyqZA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baloise Ladies Tour: Nienke Veenhoven outpowers Charlotte Kool to secure stage 1 sprint victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Js8iKVQzdAvgN9hXKPCYEL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier wins sprint skirmish on stage 12 ahead of major pileup<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8wPioqsSbwjGgzZzZkjiX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mads Pedersen reveals plans to retire after home World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X86GVpLVLJVsErpapHZuLV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Courses will look different&#8217; due to forest fire reroute at Leadville Trail 100 MTB as organisers given &#8216;green light&#8217; for August 15 races<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/deYAd89RDMmKbFwrRhzCkh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Bashed and bruised but Uno-X Mobility trio race on after heavy Tour de France sprint crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yL4sPbtPKgYyhi4Z5vbWJ6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Clothing &amp; Shoes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We are closely monitoring professional cycling&#8217; \u2013 Could former Tour de France sponsor Nike make a comeback to the sport?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Are the Tour de France breakaways doing enough to try and beat UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Tadej Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DnnFAGzwf3ziDbLQc4FD7X-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Medical updates flow after stage 12 Tour de France crash \u2013 Two collarbone breaks among the damage tally<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder 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ways<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is&#8217; &#8211; Jasper Philipsen forced to accept defeat as rivals Soudal-QuickStep celebrate their third Tour de France win<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T17:24:04Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Alpecin-Premier Tech give Philipsen another great leadout but Belgian lacks winning speed<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-dc520538-8138-11f1-8afa-e5c9d03a37de\">As Tim Merlier and his Soudal-QuickStep team celebrated their third sprint victory at the Tour de France, Jasper Philipsen could only roll past his rival&#8217;s team bus, dismount and quickly disappear onto the Alpecin-Premier Tech bus to watch a replay of the sprint and try to understand why he again missed out on victory.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech again set up Philipsen with a three-rider lead-out train in the final kilometre, avoiding the late crash, dragging him to the front, and with Mathieu van der Poel his last man. Philipsen kicked first but was soon matched by the other sprinters, with Merlier coming late off the wheel and through the middle to win.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dc520538-8138-11f1-8afa-e5c9d03a37de-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen could only accept defeat yet again.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course we look at the images. I think we did a perfect job with the team. We did what was planned, and the sprint was good. Unfortunately, the others are better, we just have to accept that,&#8221; Philipsen told <em>NBC<\/em>&#8216;s Steve Porino and the Flemish media, when he later came off the bus to face the media.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen has contested all five sprint finishes of the 2026 Tour but each time has lacked the final burst of speed or clear line needed to win. He finished fifth in Pau and Bordeaux, fourth in Bergerac and third in Nevers and now third again in Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He is fast but not fast enough to win sprints as he was in previous years. He has won ten stages across the last four editions of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Philipsen&#8217;s only consolation is that he is third in the green points jersey competition, only 46 points behind Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-C3DBXVZtnbQfJpkaWHXSDh slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think my level is good. I wasn&#8217;t on my level early in the Tour, but in the last few days I was feeling really good. Today I was also feeling really good. If I get beaten, that&#8217;s the way it is,&#8221; Philipsen said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne was probably the last chance for the sprinters, with the GC battle and breakaways likely to dominate the remaining stages.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stage 21 to Paris is no longer a pure sprinters stage, with the peloton facing three climbs of the C\u00f4te de la Butte Montmartre, the last ending just 10km from the finish on the Champs \u00c9lys\u00e9es.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I already have 10 stage wins in the Tour, and I&#8217;m very happy with my palmares. We have worked super hard, and maybe the victory will come or maybe not. We&#8217;ll see what the Tour brings,&#8221; Philipsen said, confirming he prefers to suffer and lose at the Tour than be at home.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;d rather be in the Tour de France than at home on the sofa, so I&#8217;ll go on until Paris and enjoy every moment of the Tour,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-748dc3d2-8139-11f1-ad61-654122b9845d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/if-i-get-beaten-thats-the-way-it-is-jasper-philipsen-forced-to-accept-defeat-as-rivals-soudal-quickstep-celebrate-their-third-tour-de-france-win\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4GK2kuwMwpvQsPAVkTH2uF-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Another bunch sprint decides stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France after breakaway rider caught in final 2km 2 As it happened: Surprise winner in the bunch sprint at stage 11 of the Tour de France 3 As it happened: Another bunch sprint despite a late flurry [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2048348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2048348"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048348\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2048348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2048348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2048348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}