On Tuesday’s first day of the 2024 Tour de France’s final week, Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen earned the third hat trick of wins of the 111th edition. Jaspersen also drew closer to the lead of the points classification after green jersey Biniam Girmay crashed late. The Canadians Derek Gee and Hugo Houle finished together in 38th and 39th.
The Course
With only two climbs–one categorized, one uncategorized–across 188 km from Gruissan to Nîmes, the first day of the final week looked like one for the sprinters.
An opportunity for the sprinters, but also a chance for the crosswinds to blow the race apart today at the #TDF2024, on the roads from Gruissan to Nimes. pic.twitter.com/yi4L89cOf2
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) July 16, 2024
There wasn’t a breakaway until after Bryan Coquard placed first at the intermediate sprint 96 km into the day. Thomas Gachignard went out to fly the flag for TotalEnergies, the team having picked up a stage win via Anthony Turgis on the day Derek Gee was third. Gachignard sopped up the sole KOM point on offer Tuesday.
Jayco-AlUla and Alpecin-Deceuninck were prominent at the front of the peloton. Movistar brought its men forward with 30 km to go and, predicatably, the TotalEnergies man was gathered up.
The colour blocks formed. The green jersey Biniam Girmay crashed with 1.3 km to race. Uno-X led under the red kite. Mathieu van der Poel pulled his teammate Philipsen into the final 200 metres and the Belgian polished it off. Phil Bauhaus was runner-up.
Three climbs in the final 37 km of Wednesday’s stage just might allow a breakaway to stay away.
2024 Tour de France Stage 16
1) Jasper Philipsen (Belgium/Alpecin-Deceuninck) 4:11:27
2) Phil Bauhaus (Germany/Bahrain-Victorious) s.t.
3) Alexander Kristoff (Norway/Uno-X) s.t.
38) Derek Gee (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech)
39) Hugo Houle (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech)
2024 Tour de France GC
1) Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia/UAE-Emirates) 66:07:51
2) Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark/Visma-Lease a Bike) +3:09
3) Remco Evenepoel (Belgium/Soudal-QuickStep) +5:19
9) Derek Gee (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +16:12
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