After two challenging opening days at the 2024 Tour de France, stage 3 provides a first chance for the sprinters. Favoured more than anyone else, last year's Green Jersey winner Jasper Philipsen is determined to lay down an early marker.
“Must win is a big word, but of course I want to win and we are certainly capable of it. But everything has to go well,” says the 26-year-old Belgian sprinter of Alpecin-Deceuninck, who took four stage wins at the 2023 edition of the Tour de France and has six Tour wins in total, in a pre-stage 3 interview with the assembled press, including Wielerflits.
Aside from the raw power in his legs, another big benefit for Philipsen is the incredible leadout he has with the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, most notably being able to call upon the current world champion, Mathieu van der Poel as his final man in the sprint. "We rode the Baloise Belgium Tour with Robbe Ghys and Jonas Rickaert, who are there now, and then Mathieu joins them," details Philipsen. "In the best case, we can fully exploit that potential, but let's see how it goes."
Ahead of the expected first sprint finish, there isn't clear knowledge on who the superior sprinter is at this year's edition, despite the cards more than likely favouring Philipsen. As such, stage 3 offers a chance for the Belgian to put a marker down and let all the rest of the peloton's fast men know, that he remains the dominant force on the flat stages.
“The first sprint is always exciting, the value ratios still have to be determined. There are a lot of fast guys on paper, but I'm looking forward to it," Philipsen concludes. “I hope to measure myself today and seize the opportunity immediately. There will still be opportunities, but today would be nice. Everyone wants to score straight away, but we are only on day three. It will certainly be hectic.”
Stage 3. The longest stage of this Tour, 230 km to Torino. A snoozefest, the first day for the sprinters. With MVDP as leadout, Jasper Philipsen is the big favourite but you never know. Pogacar will normally give yellow to Remco at the end. My pick: Mark Cavendish. #TDF2024
