“We didn’t see this coming” - Lance Armstrong stunned by Tour de France stage as Philpsen picks up win
CyclingThursday, 23 July 2026 at 11:15
Jasper Philipsen was all smiles again at the Tour de France 2026 after sealing one of the grittiest wins of his career on stage 17, a triumph that even surprised Lance Armstrong, Bradley Wiggins, and the rest of The Move team.
The analysts agreed the Belgian delivered far more than a simple sprint win: he endured a brutal day and, above all, broke through a mental block that had shadowed him since the start of the race.
“We didn’t see this coming,” admitted Lance Armstrong as he opened his breakdown of a stage he described as a blend between a sprint and a Flemish classic.
“It wasn’t a bunch sprint. It was like a small Tour of Flanders. Riders crawled to the line. But Jasper Philipsen had an incredible day. He’s a pure sprinter, and to see him in that move and then win the sprint by three or four bike lengths was impressive,” noted Spencer Martin.
All three commentators agreed the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider’s success had a major psychological dimension. Armstrong recalled that Philipsen had admitted after the finish he came to the Tour convinced he had “the best condition of his life,” yet in the opening stages he never got close to a win.
Philipsen’s most emotional victory
“Imagine what that does to your head. You arrive thinking you’ve got the best legs of your life and in the first sprints you’re nowhere near.”
The American also revealed that Philipsen admitted to reading criticism on social media during those difficult days: “I’d tell him never to do that. If you ever race the Tour de France, don’t read the comments. Not when you win and not when you lose.”
For Armstrong, that was exactly where the true merit of the win lay. “We all know the Tour is brutally hard physically, but what he did today was a mental victory. He could have fallen apart, gone home, or just gone through the motions. Instead, he kept fighting and found his reward.”
Bradley Wiggins made a point of highlighting the work of Mathieu van der Poel, whom he picked as the “move of the day.”
“I wouldn’t underestimate his influence on Philipsen all day long. I’m sure he was urging him on constantly, and knowing you’ve got Van der Poel at your side makes a massive difference.”
Jasper Philipsen, stage winner
Criticism of Mads Pedersen’s strategy
The Briton recalled that the Dutchman even gave up his own shot at victory to deliver his teammate perfectly: “There were several moments when Van der Poel could have attacked and probably won the stage. But he put Philipsen first. The way they work together is incredible.”
The analysis also left room to question Mads Pedersen’s tactics in the fight for the green jersey. Spencer Martin believes the Dane burned too many matches trying to score points at the intermediate sprint.
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“He emptied the tank to win that sprint. Afterwards, Philipsen finished a few spots behind, but Mads reached the finale so fatigued he couldn’t limit the damage. It probably would have been better to shadow Philipsen all stage.”
Even so, both Armstrong and Wiggins believe the points classification remains wide open: “Mads Pedersen said after the stage that he thinks everything will be decided in Paris. And as fans, that’s very exciting,” they concluded, convinced the green jersey could be settled in the final sprint on the Champs-Élysées.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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