Alpecin-Deceuninck have made a habit of winning early at the Grand Tours, and in that light, their fruitless opening week to this Tour de France had the feel of a drought. The harvest was saved on Tuesday in Saint-Amand-Montrond, where Mathieu van der Poel piloted Jasper Philipsen to victory on stage 10.
Twelve months ago, that harmonious combination proved nigh-on unbeatable at the Tour. In the finishing straight, Van der Poel would power to the front and shift the piano into place, then Philipsen would emerge from his wheel in the closing metres to play it. It all seemed so easy.
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