Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was the strongest at the end of the massive sprint of the third stage of the Tour of Belgium (2.Pro) on Friday. In the general classification, Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) retains his leader’s jersey.
After a competitive sprint, Philipsen was well ahead of his competitors. Analysis of the photo finish determined that Dutchman Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty) finished second and third respectively. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) took fourth place.
Philipsen wins the 46th victory of his career and the fourth of his season after the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo and the Classic Bruges-De Panne. On Thursday he finished second, behind his compatriot Merlier.
With his victory at the Tour of Belgium, Tim Merlier has already won as much as in 2023!
The 26-year-old rider takes his second victory in Montaigu-Zichem after the opening stage of the 2023 Tour of Belgium.
Several runners fell 19 kilometers from the finish. Among the latter was the Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Lars Craps (Flanders-Baloise), Robbe Dhondt (dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Olivier Godfroid (Baloise-Trek Lions).
The fourth and penultimate stage of the Tour de Belgique will start and finish in Durbuy with a 177 km loop north of the city. With a slightly hilly stage profile, the runners will have to cross the Côte de Champs des Hêtres (2.1km at 3.1%), the Côte de Petite Somme (2.4km at 4.9%), the Côte de Hermanne (2.2 km at 4.9%) and finally the Mur de Durbuy as the finishing line with an ascent of 500 meters at 8.2%.
