"Working together will be key" - Mathieu van der Poel & Jasper Philipsen have sight set on Stage 1 success at 2025 Tour de France

If the last few years of the Tour de France are anything to go by, Alpecin-Deceuninck's Jasper Philipsen will be the man to beat on stage 1 of the 2025 Tour de France. Helped by a superstar leadout in Mathieu van der Poel, could a first ever spell in the Maillot Jaune be on its way to the Belgian?

“I’m really looking forward to it," Philipsen says excitedly to the Belgian media ahead of the Grand Depart in Lille. "It’s a late start today, so we’ve got a long morning to get everything in place. I feel physically and mentally ready.”

Over the last three editions of the Tour, Philipsen has bagged himself 9 stage wins and a Green Jersey. Because of this proven success rate at the biggest race on the calendar, the Belgian's experience could see him edge the likes of Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier.

Alongside his sprint rivals however, Philipsen has another concern ahead of the stage. “There will be wind today, and the final three kilometres are technical — but that’s nothing unusual in France," he concludes. "We’ll need to stay sharp. Our sprint train will be crucial. We’ve got a strong team, but positioning will be everything. Timing it right and working together will be key. Will I take yellow? I certainly hope so.”

As mentioned, key to any Philipsen success, is likely to be Mathieu van der Poel's leadout, something that has stood out in past Tour de France sprints, putting the Belgian in perfect position to open his final kick to the line. “It’s going to be a tough stage, especially with the wind that’s forecast, but we’ve got a strong team to keep things under control," the Dutch former world champion analyses ahead of the stage. "I hope I can play a role in Jasper’s lead-out."