Aranburu still hoping for overall win after triumph in Wallonia, Philipsen felt relatively okay after hilly stage

Alex Aranburu celebrated a triumphant Saturday in the queen stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour. It marked the first win of 2024 for Movistar's fast Spaniard, something he was of course thrilled about.

"We knew the finale suited us very well," the former cyclocross rider shared in the flash interview. After a breakaway group, including Mathias Vacek from Lidl-Trek, was caught just before the final climb, Aranburu proved the fastest in the uphill sprint. "Lidl-Trek played their cards very well in the last hills. They made the race hard for us, but the team worked excellently towards the finish."

"This victory makes me very happy," the Spaniard continued. "I am now third in the general classification, just six seconds behind Søren Wærenskjold. Hopefully, I can try something on the final day!"

Aranburu's enthusiasm was palpable, and he was particularly pleased with his triumph in Wallonia. "That’s what we were aiming for. Additionally, we're now virtually on the podium of the general classification, which is something to enjoy as a team. On the last day, we'll see if there are any opportunities to climb higher."

Did Philipsen surprise himself with his third place in Durbuy?

Somewhat notable in the day's results was Jasper Philipsen, who finished third. Even Alpecin-Deceuninck team director Christoph Roodhooft had previously stated that the finish in Durbuy might not be for the Flame of Ham. Christoph's statement was meant as a joke," the man from Belgian Limburg told Het Nieuwsblad. "We often tease each other, not everything we say to each other is serious. We like to jibe at each other."

"Did I surprise myself?" Philipsen continued. "Yes and no. I hadn't thought I'd come third, but I did think I wouldn't get dropped with the wind being unfavorable. I know I'm quite explosive, and it's a relatively short climb. I still felt okay because we didn't really have to carry the race. The race had settled into a steady rhythm, allowing me to keep a bit of a low profile."