Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen claimed victory in Stage 13 of the Tour de France, with the sprint finish in Pau marred by a crash. This marks Philipsen’s second stage win in the 2024 edition, riding for the Alpecin-Deceuninck team. He edged out compatriot Wout van Aert and Germany’s Pascal Ackermann in the final sprint.
Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia retains the overall leader’s yellow jersey for UAE-Team Emirates, holding a lead of one minute and six seconds over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick Step. Pogacar joined the sprint at the stage’s end, while his main rival, defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, finished in the same time and remains just eight seconds behind Evenepoel in third place.
Van Aert, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, appeared poised for victory with the help of his teammate Christophe Laporte but was overtaken by Philipsen. “This was my best feeling so far in the Tour de France,” said Philipsen. “We didn’t have the best start. Some bad luck, but I’m happy we could turn it around. We are already with two stage wins, so it’s not a bad Tour. I am really happy with my sprint.”
The day’s relatively flat 165.3km route from Agen to Pau was expected to be relaxed, but the presence of Adam Yates in an early 21-man breakaway increased the peloton’s stress. Leading teams set a relentless pace to prevent Yates, riding in support of Pogacar, from gaining ground in the general classification.
Crosswinds in the final 60km added strain, causing splits in the race. The chaotic finish saw Belgium’s Maxim van Gils of Lotto-Dstny shoulder-barge countryman Amaury Capiot of Arkea-B&B Hotels, triggering a crash that brought down several riders, including Cees Bol, and caused a pile-up. This incident forced Lotto’s lead rider Arnaud de Lie to stop.
Primoz Roglic, a GC contender, had withdrawn from the race after consecutive falls, highlighting the dangers within the peloton. Additionally, Juan Ayuso withdrew during the stage due to illness after testing positive for Covid-19. Ayuso, a key domestique for Pogacar, had been in the top 10 on GC.
Saturday’s stage will tackle the iconic Col du Tourmalet on the 151.9km mountainous route from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet.
