"This is a missed opportunity" - Jasper Philipsen wins peloton sprint at Dwars door Vlaanderen but watches victory slip

Jasper Philipsen put on an impressive ride at Dwars door Vlaanderen, but rode to fourth as the peloton failed to make the catch in time. The Alpecin-Deceuninck reported his feedback on what was a tough day of racing where he searched a second win in the spring classics. 

The Classic Brugge-De Panne winner responded to the attack of Tiesj Benoot and Christophe Laporte when the race initially broke up, but the attack was not successful. Alpecin put their cards on a sprint, as the main attacking group rode off without Philipsen. An alliance was formed behind: “We checked with the team afterwards, because Quinten was with us. Trek-Segafredo, Lotto Dstny and UAE Emirates did the work there and there was something else behind it.”

The fight for the win was in front, but the pursuit was hot. The peloton caught most of the attacking group after 50 kilometers but three riders - Christophe Laporte, Oier Lazkano and Neilson Powless - managed to hold it off. Philipsen sprinted to first place from the peloton already on the wheel of the latter two, but fourth was the best possible result.

“Dwars Door Vlaanderen is a short course and the wind was often in favor of the attackers. That didn't make it easy. Too bad three men stay ahead. My feeling is good, I was better than in Gent-Wevelgem. The temperature did me good. But this is a missed opportunity. The Scheldeprijs will follow in a week, which should also suit me," he concluded.