Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen powered to victory in the opening stage of the 2024 Tour de France on Saturday, securing his 10th career stage win in a dramatic sprint finish. Defending champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia stayed safely within the front group, signaling his intent to pursue a historic fourth title.
Teamwork Triumphs in Lille
The 185-kilometer stage around northern France's Lille saw Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates execute a flawless strategy. Mathieu van der Poel positioned Philipsen for a decisive final surge, allowing him to pull clear in the last 100 meters. \"Wearing the yellow jersey has been a dream,\" Philipsen said, acknowledging Belgian fans who lined the route. \"Their energy gave me goosebumps.\"
Contenders Stay Cautious
Pogacar and two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark finished 18th and 20th, respectively, conserving energy for mountain stages ahead. Eritrea's Biniam Girmay claimed second place, with Norway's Soren Waerenskjold rounding out the podium.
Crash Drama Unfolds
The stage saw multiple crashes, including a collision involving 2023 bronze medalist Remco Evenepoel. While Evenepoel continued, Italy's Filippo Ganna and Switzerland's Stefan Bissegger were forced to abandon. A separate incident during a climber's jersey sprint left French riders Benjamin Thomas and Matteo Vercher scrambling to recover.
Riders face a 199.2km second stage from Cesena to Bologna on Sunday, featuring challenging Apennine climbs that may test early strategies.
