"I have never thought Jasper Philipsen was the fastest sprinter," admits sprint star's father: "But I do think he is the best at taking up position"
CyclingSunday, 15 September 2024 at 15:30
Jasper Philipsen has emerged as arguably the most successful sprinter in the entirety of the peloton over the last couple of years. Now, the Belgian star's father has opened up about his son's secrets to success.
"I have never thought Jasper was the fastest sprinter. But I do think he is the best at taking up position," begins Patrick Philipsen in conversation with HLN, naming compatriot Tim Merlier as a good measuring stick to use. "If you let Jasper and Merlier sprint against each other straight on the street, then I think Merlier wins. But if it is a race and chaotic, then Jasper wins, I think."
Notably, at the 2024 European Championships this Sunday afternoon, Philipsen and Merlier will be working together in the sprint for Belgium. "If you are slow, you cannot win a sprint, but it is also about thinking quickly," continues the Alpecin-Deceuninck star's father. "I think Jasper still thinks, yes. It is not a case of mind at zero with him. He really still makes choices: now I stay seated, now I take this wheel, now I do that... I think he is very good at that."
Whilst at Alpecin-Deceuninck, Philipsen is often aided in the leadouts by world champion Mathieu van der Poel, this Sunday in Limburg, the two great friends will be rivals in the fight for the European title. "We must not hide it: he is also lucky that the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. If you have a lead-out like Mathieu van der Poel, the rest are often already knocked out before it really starts," Patrick Philipsen says of the dynamic between his son and the Dutch superstar. "That is also partly Jasper's merit. Mathieu always says: 'With Jasper I don't have to look back, because he is on my wheel anyway. With Merlier I had to look back to see if he was still there.'"
"Jasper is not handy, no, but he is good at steering. Personally I think he is one of the best in the peloton in that respect. He doesn't fall much and can squeeze through a small gap. He has also been criticized for that. Last year in the Tour, this year in the Tour, at the beginning of this season too," Philipsen Sr concludes. "I think there is usually a circumstance that explains why something happens. Nothing scares him off. And that is not allowed, because if you hit the brakes in a sprint, it's over. Then it's over and done with."
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Philipsen seems like a decent guy off the bike, but his intimidation tactics need to be curtailed rather than excused by the older generation of tough guy sprinters. Philipsen and Merlier have barged, banged, and chopped their way to podiums since their earliest days at the highest level. While they are generally good at staying upright, others like Ewan and Jakobsen have not been so fortunate, and have never seem to regain their early nerve and promise. Sprinting is dangerous enough as it is without adding intentional malice.
Yes papa, you see what we all see except what you call “taking up position” the rest of us call dangerous, reckless, illegal and unsportsmanlike behavior when he elbows others or sprints across instead of a straight line. Otherwise called cheating,
I agree, but, someone may remember that a certain young Cavendish was not unlike this and regularly criticised for it, doesn’t seem to have done his legacy much harm.