Consecutive wins for Philipsen as Tour Stage 4 finishes on a race track
Belgian's brace of victories adds life to plodding stage
Photo by:
Sirotti
Jasper Philipsen claimed his second consecutive Tour de France stage victory Tuesday in the 110th edition’s first full day in France. It was a plodding stage only revived by an auto race course finish. Adam Yates kept safe in the yellow jersey. Michael Woods was the top Canadian in 47th.
The Course
Tuesday was definitely one for the sprinters. A single categorized climb was positioned about 25 km from the auto race course (Circuit Paul Armagnac) finish line in Nogaro.
Stage 4 of the #TDF2023 starts from Dax, where in 1951 Wim Van Est wrote history by becoming the first Dutchman to wear the #TDF2023 yellow jersey, and concludes on the Nogaro race track. pic.twitter.com/JsNumiFgh9
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) July 4, 2023
The peloton was in no particular hurry over the first hour and no one bothered to break away. The intermediate sprint at Notre-Dame des Cyclistes momentarily snapped the field out of its reverie. Monday’s winner Jasper Philipsen earned maximum points and moved over Sunday’s victor Victor Lafay in the green jersey competition. At the midway point of the race, the average speed was 37.3 km/h.
Two French riders scooted away to shake out the cobwebs. The Gallic duo flew its flags over the sole categorized climb and was sopped up with 25 km to go.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing in the Circuit Paul Armagnac, as two crashes inside the red kite took down several riders.
But once again Philipsen received a smooth lead out and the Belgian delivered. Again Caleb Ewan and Phil Bauhaus were on the day’s podium, but they switched spots from Monday.
Wednesday sees the return of the mountains, with the first HC-rated climb in the middle of 162 km, and a Cat. 1 cresting with 18 km to the finish in Laruns.
2023 Tour de France Stage 4
1) Jasper Philipsen (Belgium/Alpecin-Deceuninck) 4:25:28
2) Caleb Ewan (Australia/Lotto-Dstny) s.t.
3) Phil Bauhaus (Germany/Bahrain-Victorious) s.t.
47) Michael Woods (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) s.t.
61) Hugo Houle (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) s.t.
107) Guillaume Boivin (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) s.t.
2023 Tour de France GC
1) Adam Yates (Great Britain/UAE-Emirates) 18:18:01
2) Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia/UAE-Emirates) +0:06
3) Simon Yates (Great Britain/Jayco-AlUla) s.t.
8) Michael Woods (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +0:22
66) Hugo Houle (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +16:52
114) Guillaume Boivin (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +28:13
