Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen clinched his third stage win at the 2024 Tour de France after a late crash by Biniam Girmay marred stage 16. Philipsen’s Alpecin-Deceuninck team asserted dominance in Nimes, with the 26-year-old sprinting clear to the finish line.
Eritrean rider Girmay, hindered by a fall within the final kilometer, saw Philipsen narrow his lead in the green jersey competition to 32 points. Mark Cavendish, holder of the Tour stage wins record, finished 17th in his final sprint stage before the mountainous finale.
Yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogacar maintained a three-minute, nine-second lead over defending champion Jonas Vingegaard. Remco Evenepoel retained third place, trailing by five minutes and nine seconds.
Stage 16, predicted for a bunch sprint, featured a solo effort by Thomas Gachignard (Total Energies) until he was caught 25km from the finish. With sprinters vying for victory before the Alps return, Alpecin-Deceuninck’s acceleration sealed Philipsen’s win, uncontested after Girmay’s mishap.
Girmay, the first black African to claim a Tour stage win this year, was supported by Intermarche-Wanty teammates to the finish. Philipsen, optimistic about the green jersey, acknowledged Girmay’s climbing prowess and expressed concern for his rival’s mishap.
“I was feeling good. I had a good rest day and I feel like my shape has improved during this Tour de France. Every stage win is really hard to get, we can be proud,” said Philipsen.
Regarding the points competition, he added, “Everything is possible, but Biniam is climbing really well. I just hope he’s fine because he doesn’t deserve to lose like this.”
Stage 17 on Wednesday will feature a challenging 177.8km mountain route from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Superdevoluy in the southern Alps.
