"When you come so close, you hope to win" - Jasper Philipsen runner-up in a third sprint at this Tour de France

This Tour de France is turning into something of a nightmare for Jasper Philipsen. Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises didn't break Philipsen's curse but he remains confident heading into Sunday's gravel stage. The Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter is not performing poorly, but a crash, a relegation and two second places - that's far from what the Belgian winner of last year's Points classification had hoped for.

"It’s okay in terms of frustrations, but at the moment it’s all going the wrong way," said Philipsen according to Het Nieusblad at the finish. "Last year it went the right way, this year it didn’t. You have to live with that. The sprint? I didn’t think I would finish so close. I didn’t feel great all day. It was a tough stage and then with this finish... But when you come so close, you hope to win."

"I don’t think I’m much worse than last year, because I wouldn't have come second three times if I was. Normally I’m at a good level, but it has to turn around and when that happens we’re off. The real confidence comes when you start taking victories... It’s not that far. The day before yesterday was close, today was close."

Former winner of the Maglia Cicclamino is "The green? There are still five chances and therefore many points to be gained. Girmay is riding very well, but something can always happen. We will stay alert and then we will see. Tomorrow's gravel stage? Normally that should suit us, so we will be sharp."