Jasper Philipsen Sprints To Tour Of Denmark Stage 4 Victory
Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Fenix dominated the fourth stage of the 2021 Tour of Denmark, sprinting to victory in a thrilling finish in Vejle. Philipsen crossed the finish line ahead of runner-up Rui Oliveira of UAE Team Emirates and third-placer Emils Liepins of Trek-Segafredo. This marks Philipsen's second stage win in the race, having previously won the opening stage in Herning.
Philipsen, who is only 23 years old, has been hailed as one of the most promising young riders in the peloton. He turned pro with Hagens Berman Axeon in 2018 and then moved to UAE Team Emirates in 2020. He completed his first ever Grand Tour at the 2020 Vuelta a España, where he won a stage and finished as the top rider in the points classification.
Stage 4 Recap
The fourth stage of the Tour of Denmark was a 170-kilometer ride from Holstebro to Vejle, with a hilly finish that saw the riders tackle the iconic Kiddesvej climb twice. The stage began with an early breakaway of six riders, but they were eventually caught by the peloton with around 30 kilometers to go.
As the riders approached the finishing circuit, the pace heated up and attacks flew left and right. Deceuninck-QuickStep's Mauri Vansevenant was the last rider to be caught, just three kilometers from the finish line. Team UAE Emirates, Trek-Segafredo, and Alpecin-Fenix all positioned themselves at the front of the peloton for the final sprint.
Philipsen had a perfect lead-out from his Alpecin-Fenix teammates, and he launched his sprint with 200 meters to go. Oliveira and Liepins tried to catch up, but Philipsen had too much left in the tank and crossed the finish line first, celebrating with a pumped fist.
What's Next for Philipsen?
With two stage victories and the points classification lead in the Tour of Denmark, Philipsen looks to be in excellent form heading into the final stages of the race. He will face tough competition from riders like Liepins, Michael Mørkøv, and Andre Greipel, but his explosive sprinting ability should keep him in contention for more stage wins.
After the Tour of Denmark, Philipsen is slated to participate in several other races this season, including the Benelux Tour and the Paris-Roubaix. He has expressed his desire to compete in the Tour de France in 2022, and if he continues his impressive performances, he may well earn a spot on his Alpecin-Fenix team's Tour roster.
The Impact of Philipsen's Victory
Philipsen's win in stage 4 of the Tour of Denmark highlights his immense potential as a sprinter and cements his position as a rising star in the cycling world. His impressive performances so far this season have also put his Alpecin-Fenix team in the spotlight, demonstrating their prowess as a formidable force in the peloton.
For fans of cycling, Philipsen's victory is a thrilling reminder of the explosive power and excitement that comes with sprint finishes. It also serves as inspiration for young riders who hope to follow in his footsteps and make a name for themselves in the sport.