Philipsen Claims First Yellow Jersey in Tour de France Stage One Sprint

The 112th Tour de France began with a 184.9-kilometer sprint stage in Lille Métropole, where Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen claimed victory and secured the first yellow jersey of the race. Philipsen outpaced rivals Biniam Girmay and Søren Wærenskjold in a chaotic finale marked by crosswinds and echelons, which split the peloton and caused key GC contenders Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel to lose time, while Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard gained an early advantage. Philipsen credited his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates for their strong support, particularly in positioning during the echelons and the final sprint. The stage showcased strategic team efforts amid challenging wind conditions and set the tone for the upcoming stages, with Stage 2 featuring a demanding 209.1-kilometer hilly route that could favor punchy climbers. Despite setbacks, contenders like Roglic remain optimistic about the overall race outcome.