Philipsen triumphs in sprint on Stage 10 of Tour de France as Pogacar keeps overall lead

Belgian rider edges thrilling dash to win his first stage this year after finishing runner-up twice last week

Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Jasper Philipsen crosses the finish line to win Stage 10 of the Tour de France ahead of second-placed Biniam Girmay, in the sprint leader's green jersey, on July 9, 2024. AFP

Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Jasper Philipsen celebrates on the podium after winning Stage 10 between Orleans and Saint-Amand-Montrond. AFP

UAE Team Emirates' Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium with the overall leader's yellow jersey. AFP

Belgium's Jasper Philipsen celebrates as he crosses the finish line. AP

Alpecin-Deceuninck's Jasper Philipsen. left, races for the finish line. Reuters

Eritrea's Biniam Girmay, in the best sprinter's green jersey, and UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar, in the overall leader's yellow jersey, during Stage 10. AP

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, in the yellow jersey, drinks while riding in the peloton. AP

The peloton passes on the Voltaire Bridge over the Canal de Berry in Vierzon. EPA

The riders cycle past an archway in a medieval tower in Mennetou-sur-Cher. AFP

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, as UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar retained his overall lead.

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

The overall leaders stayed the same. 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.

“Last week was not a great week, it was an endless week for us. We had some bad luck. I am really happy it is a big relief," said Philipsen after the race.

“We can finally show our strength, with our lead-out train and did finally what we came for.

"We know the corner was quite tricky but everyone is growing in this Tour. Maybe we didn’t start in the best shape. But we all feel good and healthy and there’s still some nice stages to come.

"It was a tough week and it was already Stage 10, and we have five sprints without a win. Girmay is doing a very good ride so far, he is very far ahead, I think we just concentrate on the stages.”

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

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

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 Chateau de Chambord.

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