Tour de France closes its second week with Jonas Vingegaard in the overall lead; stage 15 went to Jasper Philipsen | Other Sports | Sports

The Belgian J.asper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) premiered at the Tour de France prevailing in a tight sprint in the fifteenth stage disputed between Rodez and Carcassonne, of 202 kilometers, a day marked by the heat in which the Dane Jonas Vingegaard retained the yellow jersey and lost 2 teammates.

Philipsen (Ham, 24 years old), finally raised his arms on the Tour. The Belgian had achieved four second places, but in Carcassonne, where Mark Cavendish won last year equaling Eddy Merckx’s 34th victory, won the pulse for speed in a disputed arrival at the limit, ahead of Belgian Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), four times second already, and the Danish Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).

Jonas Vingegaard kept the yellow jersey with a high cost. He lost before going out to Primoz Roglic and in act of combat to Steven Kruijswijk.

The leader was left without two of his soldiers, leaving Jumbo with six troops, the same as Tadej Pogacar’s UAE-Team Emirates, who is still second overall at 2 minutes 22 seconds.

They were thus equalized effective, forces are equal the day before the third rest day and on the eve of the Pyrenees.

The general had no changes. Geraint Thomas kept third place, 2 minutes 43 seconds behind, Bardet fourth and Nairo Quintana sixth. The Spanish Enric Mas (Movistar) closes the top 10 at 9 minutes 58 seconds.

Stage starting in Rodez, birthplace of the centenary painter Pierre Soulages, 102 years as an artist, “the painter of black, of abstract and informal art”.

Unbearable heat in the Occitan region that forced the organization to take exceptional measures, such as allow provisioning from kilometer zero to 10 of the finish line. A day where a runner drinks about 12 liters of water and survives as best he can, even putting ice packs on his neck.

He did not face the dog days Primoz Roglic, abandoned by his forces and in pain since his fall on the pavés. The triple winner of La Vuelta threw in the towel for the second year in a row and you can now prepare the assault on the fourth red jersey. An important loss for the leader Jonas Vingegaard.

They didn’t join the platoon either, but COVID-19, two stage winners, like the Danish Magnus Court Y Simon Clarke.

Soon they braved the burning asphalt van Aert, who does not miss a break, Nils Politt and Mikkel Honoré. The Belgian got off the hook quickly because the peloton would not allow the escape with the green jersey ahead. The German giant, winner last year in Nimes, and the Dane, a dedicated guy who speaks 6 languages ​​and has studied economics and marketing, remained.

Jumbo’s Misfortunes

While Politt and Honoré were saying goodbye to their useless adventure, the stage continued to turn its back on the Jumbo. To the initial loss of Roglic was going to join that of Steven Kruijswijk, who landed on the scorching tarmac at 67 goal. Hand to the collarbone, straight to the hospital.

With the Dutchman in the ambulance the turn of misfortune fell to the leader himself. Vingegaard rubbed the yellow jersey on the road, but unlike his partner he got up, changed bikes and returned to the peloton, who waited for him. Being the boss has those things.

Before reaching the top of the Cota des Cammazes (3a, 5.1 kilometers at 4.1%) Politt and Honoré’s escape ended. Another stage began, and of course, with another leak. Two Frenchmen took to the mountains on their way to Carcassonne. More illusion than success options.

The sprint began to take shape, no matter how much the Gauls Benjamin Thomas and Alexis Gougeard rebelled for a while, always controlled by Trek, DSM and UAE. Some sprinters returned to the group after suffering their share of suffering on the ascent.

The French attempt faded like a painting by Soulages, but not before Gougeard raised his voice, determined to sign a work of art next to the Citadel of Carcassonne, UNESCO heritage wonder.

First Thomas vanished, but Gougeard endured. One against all. The outcome was going to have a little abstract and a lot of realism. Ineos went on to push forward, the side wind set nerves on fire, the sprinter teams grouped up in front and the cheetahs were going to enter the scene, but not before devouring the French rebel 400 meters from the line.

Philipsen was the most powerful in the sprint ceremony. There was equality, even a photo finish, but the Belgian displayed power against the attacks of van Aert, Pedersen and Sagan. A brilliant debut in a monumental city, guarded by the beauty of its walls. His name is already in the history of the Tour. A sprint artist.

This Monday the peloton will enjoy the third and last day of rest in Carcassonne, a day to recover strength before facing the decisive week in the Pyrenees, where the arrivals in Peyragudes and Hautacam await as key appointments.

On Tuesday the race returns with the sixteenth stage between Carcassonne and Foix, a fraction of 178.5 kilometers. (D)