High-speed fall forces Philipsen out of Tour de France / Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT - AFP
High-speed fall forces Philipsen out of Tour de France
The winner of the Tour de France's opening stage Jasper Philipsen was forced to pull out of the 21-day race on Monday after suffering a broken collarbone in a high-speed fall.
Philipsen and the other fast men were contesting an intermediate sprint 60km from the Dunkirk finish-line of stage three when other riders swerved in front of him during a 70 kph dash. He collided with Bryan Coquard and fell.
The fall ripped the green best sprinter's jersey from Philipsen's back as he slid at speed along the road.
"Displaced fracture of the right collarbone, surgery will definitely be required," Philipsen's team Alpecin said in a statement.
"At least one broken rib, possibly two... We wish Jasper all the best and a speedy recovery."
The Belgian's teammates initially stopped to help him, but were soon told by the Alpecin team to continue on their way as they realised the extent of the 27-year-old's injuries.
Coquard apologised at the finish, but stewards gave him and Belgian Edward Theuns yellow cards for "irregular sprinting".
Italian Davide Ballerini and Dutchman Danny van Poppel also received yellow cards for the same offence in the chaotic final sprint in Dunkirk.
The four riders, who were also fined 500 Swiss francs (535 euros, $627), are the first to receive yellow cards in the Tour de France. Under the newly-introduced system they will be thrown off the race if they receive a second yellow.
Philipsen won the 2023 green jersey as best sprinter on that edition of the Tour, and has 10 career victories in the race.
He was among the favourites to win the points classification again this year, but his withdrawal leaves Italian Jonathan Milan in the green jersey.
The third stage was eventually won by Belgium's Tim Merlier in a photo finish ahead of Milan.
Th.Baumann--VZ
