Jasper Philipsen is expected to ride World Championships as Belgium's wild card

Jasper Philipsen can prepare for his debut at the World Cycling Championships, reports Het Laatste Nieuws. The Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter, who won the first three bunch sprints in this year's Tour de France, should book a place in the World Cup selection of national coach Sven Vanthourenhout.

Philipsen is seen by Vanthourenhout as an extra card to play in Scotland if it turns out to be a mass sprint at the world championship. The sprinter, the national coach and Alpecin-Deceuninck have reportedly spoken about this several times in recent weeks.

Normally, Belgium would be allowed to participate in the road race with eight riders, but Remco Evenepoel, as the defending champion, gets a guaranteed spot at the start. That is why Vanthourenhout can start with nine riders and that extra place will be for Philipsen. As a result, the Belgians will have three leaders with Evenepoel, Philipsen and Wout van Aert.

The full Belgian squad for the men's World Cup, scheduled for Sunday 6 August, will be announced during the final week of the Tour de France.