Philipsen comes close to victory in Belgium

Jasper Philipsen is showing strong form and, above all, that he is cut-out for typical Belgian races, where plans change and there is attacking racing from the gun.

The UAE Team Emirates young sprinter, already fifth yesterday in the Dwars door het Hageland, came home second today in the Heylen Vastgoed Heistse Pijl (1.1). Victory in the sprint went to the Colombian Hodeg (Deceuninck-QuickStep) from a reduced group.

“Today we thought that the race could finish in a sprint” says Philipsen, “but three laps from the end, on the cobblestone climb, we were in a group with me and Troia. In the final there were so many attacks, with the group behind getting very close but we were able to hang on to the finish line. Today I felt good, with good legs, but unfortunately Hodeg was just faster than me. No regrets, it was a good second place “.

The split went on lap three of seven, on a  two kilometere paved climb. With the bunch hot on their heels the group split coming into the finish with Philipsen just being edged out in the sprint on the line.

Tomorrow is the last one-day race in Belgium, Elfestedenronde (1.1), from Bruges to Bruges over 195 km.

Results

1 Alvaro Hodeg (Col) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:19:45

2 Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Uae Team Emirates s.t.

3 Rory Townsend (Irl) Dhb s.t.