During the previous Tours of France, Mathieu Van der Poel was unable to play his card fully and had to settle for the role of pilot fish for the team's sprinter Alpecin-Deceuninck, Jasper Philipsen. The 29-year-old Dutchman, author of an incredible season with a hat-trick E3 Saxo Classic, Tour of Flanders et Paris-Roubaixwas decisive in the Belgian's nine stage victories on the Large Loop. Fans of the “little phenomenon”, as his grandfather called him so well Raymond Poulidordo not hide their pain at seeing Mathieu Van der Poel having won only a few stages on the Tour de Francethe only victory being obtained in 2021, at the summit of the Mur-de-Bretagne, with the added bonus of the leader's yellow jersey. In an interview with Dutch media The Telegraph, Jasper Philipsen looks back on his collaboration with the former world champion.
Video – Jasper Philipsen relieved after his victory on the 10th stage
“With Mathieu Van der Poel, we got along well straight away”
“From a personal point of view, we immediately got along well, and during the race we also noticed that we understood each other quickly. I never call Mathieu Van der Poel “lead-out”, because I find it a lack of respect in his case. He loves doing it, and he's probably the best in the bunch, but he's so much more than that. In most of the races that Mathieu Van der Poel competes in, he is our leader. The good thing about him is that when he has little or no chance of winning, he still likes to do something for the team. Mathieu Van der Poel makes it easier for me to win, yes, but you have to be a good sprinter to complete your preparation work. Besides, the pressure is great when a great champion like him sacrifices his own chances for me,” explain Jasper Philipsen.
The 26-year-old Belgian sprinter looks back on the announcement of the next route Tour de France and not only has a personal goal, to become the first Yellow Jersey of the 112th edition, but he also keeps an eye on his teammate Mathieu Van der Poelwhich he said could aim for milestones in the first week. “There are opportunities for both of us, although I don't know if Mathieu Van der Poel will be there. I would like to ride, but my program is not yet set. If we both participate in the competition, I am definitely ready to support him in any way possible“, concludes Jasper Philipsen.
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