Jasper Philipsen seems to be made to create a stir. And so, after having alienated a segment of the group with some unscrupulous attitudes towards Tour,in his response to a question about Glasgow World Cup it made Belgian pride rise. In fact, in the last few days in France, he was asked how he would behave with Mathieu Van der Poel, who will be an opponent on that occasion. And Philipsen, perhaps having him at his side and certainly wrongly, he replied that he will do nothing to put a spoke in his wheelsAll hell broke loose!
«It was not an appropriate statement – explained coach Vanthourenhout – but Jasper apologizedIt was a sudden question he received at the Tour. At that moment, having Mathieu by his side influenced his response».
Belgium with three points
What remains, however, is the question that the Belgian press conference did not completely dispel: who will make the eventual sprint to the world championship between Van Aert and Philipsen?
«It depends on who will feel even better after a difficult race – Vanthourenhout replied – but I'm pretty sure that Wout and Jasper (Photonews image from the Herentals Criterium in the opening) will not follow the same racing tactics. With Remco e Wout We can run very offensively. With Jasper, we're strong defensively. We have a great chance with any racing scenarioWe go to Glasgow with three leaders who can win the world title."
Little rest after the Tour
Philipsen for his part has Belgian Criterium Tour completed, where he cashed in on the efforts of the Tour and said goodbye to his fans.
«Let's say that first I needed to a short decompression phase – he says – but not too short. A glass or maybe even two, no more. On Sunday in Paris we had a quiet party with the team, I didn't rest much after the TourI wore the green jersey to the circuits, in Herentals and Haast, so as to give something back to my fans. And also to avenge the failure to win in Paris against Jordy Meeus».
The green and four stages
Having lost the final sprint of the Tour stings him a bit. The annoyance is lessened by the fact that Jordi Meeus, winner of the Champs-Elysees, is his friend and training partner.
«If I had to lose – he admits – it was better that it was at his hands. It was a different sprint than last yearI was already practically on Van der Poel's wheel and I certainly still had my legs, but in the end I paid the price for a difficult TourLike all sprinters, Jordi also suffered in the mountains and the victory was a great reward.
«I brought the green jersey in Paris and mentally it was very toughThe Tour isn't a pleasure ride. I suffered a lot and can only be happy to have succeeded. Four stage victories I'm a nice loot, I don't think I'll be able to do it every year, so I'm satisfied. I think I can say that I was the strongest sprinter in the Tour».
The death threats
What partially ruined his party were the death threats received by his partner Melanie at the time when the controversy was raging over his alleged improprieties, just as Groenewegen was threatened with death after Jakobsen's fall.
«It was bad – he says – but I realize I've thought about it too much.And when you start thinking about the negatives, you push the positives aside. So, with the Belgian Criteriums over, I'm now focusing on the World Championships. I'll keep my legs firm to show something in Glasgow too».
