Jasper Philipsen takes relieving win at Munsterland Giro - "I'm happy that the form is still there in October"

Jasper Philipsen has taken win number 9 of his season today at the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro and has now taken wins all throughout the year. After taking triumphs at Milano-Sanremo and the Tour de France; the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider does not stop winning ahead of the end of his season.

“We made it an attractive race. The team kept me well in front all day. The final was hectic, like every year here. But I knew this finish from a few years ago, so I knew what to do," Philipsen said in a post-race interview. The field of sprinters was very strong but an in-form Philipsen was always going to be amongst them, barring disaster. A crash did come just outside the final kilometer but he was in good position and avoided it.

Into the final sprint he followed the right wheel, that of Jordi Meeus, who was led out to perfection into the finishing straight. “They also had a very good lead-out. I knew that it had to have his wheel in the last few hundred meters. I am happy that I was able to start my sprint and take the victory.” In the dash to the line, he was vastly superior to his compatriot and raised his arms in a rather comfortable victory.

“I can be satisfied. Winning a monument was the highlight for me. And I'm happy that the form is still there in October and that I could win today," he concluded. Philipsen is expected to race Paris-Tours this Sunday - likely as his final race - and will be among the main favourites to take the win.