Alpecin boss critical of Philipsen in battle for green jersey: 'Don't need to see those handshakes'

The battle for the yellow jersey appears to be over, with Tadej Pogacar reigning supreme in the general classification. Aside from that battle, there’s still plenty at stake for the green jersey. It’s currently held by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), but the competition is smelling blood. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is second in that classification, but team manager Christoph Roodhooft is rather critical.

Pedersen has been wearing the green jersey since Stage 4, when he claimed victory in Foix. The Dane then finished in the top ten four times in the bunch sprints, but found particular success in the intermediate sprints. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) was the fastest three times, but withdrew before the final rest day. The competition will come from the sprinters who have yet to win.

For example, Biniam Girmay (NSN) trails the former world champion by 56 points, but in recent days Philipsen has emerged as Pedersen’s main challenger. The Belgian hasn’t won (yet), but he has finished third twice. Moreover, he’s been making his presence felt in the intermediate sprints, and his sprinter’s legs are looking better and better. In fact, he beat the green jersey wearer on each of the last two days.

This means that Philipsen has closed the gap on Pedersen to 31 points: the leader in the standings has racked up 417 points, while the runner-up has 386. Philipsen is faster, and he shows it in the intermediate sprints. Those are fiercely contested, but afterward, the rivals shake hands every time. Much to Roodhooft’s displeasure. “I don’t need to see those handshakes after every sprint,” the Belgian tells Domestique. “Everyone can decide for themselves, but for me, they’re unnecessary.”

Team leader Mathieu van der Poel has won a stage in this Tour de France, but Philipsen hasn’t yet. Opportunities are becoming scarcer: there might still be two chances left, but the attackers will also be eager to make their move on stages 17 and 21. So every point counts. “I don’t feel like they’ve ever shown us that much compassion,” says Roodhooft about Lidl-Trek. “That’s not my style either. From a sporting standpoint, I’d like to see a little more intensity.”

The seventeenth stage to Voiron features 2,300 meters of climbing, most of which comes early on. But the final kilometers also have some tough stretches. Of course, there’s still the Champs-Élysées, but with the triple climb up Montmartre, that will be a tough one too. In any case, Alpecin-Premier Tech is going for the green jersey. “We have to keep trying. It’s an important goal for the team. We have no other option.”