Jasper Philipsen missed the podium on 13 Jul 2026, placing fourth in the Bergerac sprint of Tour de France stage 8, but Alcatel‑Premier Tech’s leadership insisted the Belgian sprinter is still in contention for a stage win.
What happened on stage 8?
The Alpecin‑Premier Tech squad arrived in Bergerac after two fifth‑place finishes on stages 5 and 7. Philips Philipsen launched his sprint inside the final 200 metres, but Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick‑Step timed his effort perfectly and crossed the line first. Philipsen’s teammate Mathieu van der Poel led him out, yet the Belgian was a fraction too late. The result left the team disappointed but not surprised, given the high‑speed nature of flat finishes.
Why does the team stay confident?
Team manager Philip Roodhooft told reporters that it is “way too early to draw conclusions” about Philipsen’s form. He highlighted the squad’s preparation and the strength of the lead‑out train, noting that the riders have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to deliver a win. Head sports director Christoph Roodhoft added that the timing of the sprint was off on both Saturday and Sunday, but emphasized that the team “cannot do it better”. Their confidence stems from past success, including three stage wins and five days in yellow during last year’s Tour.
How does this fit into Philipsen’s season?
Philipsen enters the Tour with ten stage victories from seven race starts, a record that underscores his reputation as a top sprinter. The fourth‑place finish in Bergerac marks his third top‑five result in as many days, showing consistency even without a win. The team’s patience mirrors a similar situation two years ago, when they waited until stage 10 for a breakthrough. With fifteen stages still to run, Philipsen’s sprinting engine remains primed for a breakthrough.
What’s next for Alpecin‑Premier Tech?
The squad will regroup ahead of the next flat stage, fine‑tuning their lead‑out timing. Philipsen is scheduled for a routine anti‑doping test after stage 8, meaning he will return to training without media distraction. Roodhooft reiterated that the team does not expect to win every sprint, but they trust Philipsen’s finishing ability to convert future opportunities into victories. The next few days will test whether the adjustments in timing can turn near‑misses into a long‑awaited stage win.