Philipsen finally triumphs in sprint finish on Stage 10 of Tour de France

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Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen celebrates winning the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

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Stage winner Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen celebrates on the podium after the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, rides in the pack during the ceremonial parade of the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Germany’s Pascal Ackermann, second left, Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay, wearing the best sprinter’s green jersey, and Belgium’s Wout van Aert, third right, to win the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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Claudette, right, and Jacky Lemeije stand in the doorway of their house as the pack with Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, right, passes through the village of Ligny-le-Ribault during the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay, wearing the best sprinter’s green jersey, celebrates on the podium after the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.3 kilometers (116.4 miles) with start in Orleans and finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

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SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND, France (AP) — Jasper Philipsen edged a thrilling sprint to win his first stage of this Tour de France on Tuesday after finishing runner-up twice last week.

Biniam Girmay, winner of two stages already, was runner-up a second time, and Pascal Ackermann was third.

The overall leaders stayed the same. Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey with the same 33 second gap on Remco Evenepoel and more than a minute on two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard.

The 10th stage from Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond in central France was a flat 187 kilometers (116 miles) without classified climbs, and set the stage for a mass sprint.

Philipsen, the Belgian rider known for his powerful finishes, finally capitalized. This was his seventh career stage in the last three Tours.

“Today everything worked according to plan,” Philipsen said. “We came to the Tour de France with the goal of winning at least one stage. I’m really happy that we can now tick that box and go further in the Tour with more confidence in the team.”

Following the first rest day, the race unfolded without major disruptions despite intermittent showers. The peloton enjoyed a picturesque route, passing the 500-year-old Château de Chambord.

Stage 11 on Wednesday will get the riders back climbing again in the Massif Central mountains.

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