🚴🇧🇪 | Jasper Philipsen! Er staat geen maat op de Vlam van Ham! Tim Merlier wordt tweede. 🇧🇪🔥 #ClassicBruggeDePanne 📺 Koers kijk je op discovery+
Will De Panne feud between Philipsen and Merlier continue to fester? "If it's up to me, then no"
CyclingThursday, 21 March 2024 at 08:46
The good news show for Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jasper Philipsen just keeps going. In the Classic Brugge-De Panne, the Belgian again proved to be the fastest of the pack after a hectic sprint, having won Milan-San Remo just a few days earlier. However, afterwards, he primarily had to address the near-collision with Tim Merlier, including at the press conference.
By now, Philipsen understands how things work. Right after the finish, the emotions were still running high, especially for Merlier. "It was a close call. We nearly ended up with a couple of broken collarbones. At the moment I wanted to make my move, I received a push from behind, and a bit later, when I wanted to push through, if I had done so, Jasper and I might have ended up over the guardrail, and I would probably have been to blame. A bit after that, I was stuck with my front wheel just behind the man of BORA-hansgrohe, so I simply had no space and no time left to come out from behind him completely. Sprinting always involves a risk, and maybe I've been too cautious, but I don't want to cause anyone to die," Merlier stated.
Continue reading below the video.
Philipsen refers to the sprint as "typical incident"
"When something like this happens, the media of course likes to jump on it," winner Philipsen shared at the press conference. "It's a typical incident for a sprint, but I'm mainly glad that we all managed to stay upright and it remained safe. Who is at fault? I think that's hard to pinpoint. Everything happens very fast, and you have to make your decisions in a split second. Everyone tries to sprint as fairly as possible. Unfortunately, such incidents do happen, but luckily not on that final straight this time. There were a few falls in the last corner, but ultimately, it's somewhat typical," Philipsen remarked, having had a good chance to reflect on the incident after the race, numerous TV interviews and a doping check.
"We knew beforehand that it was going to be nervous and hectic," the Belgian explained. "There was little to be done about it. Last year the weather conditions were completely different, and then the dangerous point is somewhere else, right before De Moeren. Now, it was on the final straight line, but ultimately, it's always dangerous and hectic at some point."
Philipsen also felt there wasn't much room left on that left side of the road. "When I felt Tim coming, I realized the gap was getting very small. I would have preferred not to make the decision to go left, but that's in hindsight. All in all, I'm glad nothing happened. Tim was also just starting his sprint, so I had to hold back. I don't want to drive anyone into the fences, of course, but fortunately, we both got through and could still do our sprint. Although I did think it was over at one point."
The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider does not expect any tension to linger between the two. "If it's up to me, then definitely not. We can put it into perspective quickly, and there's also some disappointment involved immediately after the finish. I might have felt the same in his situation, but on my end, there's no resentment." Merlier also indicated after the finish that this would not be the case, so with that, the matter between the two is settled. "I already shook his hand on the podium."
Philipsen and Alpecin-Deceuninck head to upcoming races with confidence, starting with Gent-Wevelgem
Philipsen is now focusing on his next major goal: Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday, where he starts alongside Mathieu van der Poel. "We have to combine our strengths again and go as far as possible together, so Mathieu can always race more relaxed with me behind him, playing that game. It's not rocket science, how we're going to approach it. The race will show how far we get, but it's also no secret that Mathieu likes to race aggressively."
"My legs were significantly better on Saturday than last year. I think I can maintain that form for a while," affirms the speedy Flemish rider, who is not worried about the predicted wind in the 260-kilometer race. "I prefer that to a race like this one, in Classic Brugge-De Panne. It's also nice to be part of making the race. There are still beautiful races to come, so hopefully, we can keep the momentum going," says Philipsen, who, despite winning Classic Brugge-De Panne, will still not compete in the Scheldeprijs. "It's already a busy schedule, including recon of Paris-Roubaix and the like."
Philipsen has now proven he can win after a tough race, but also a straightforward one. A man of two worlds, you could say. "I'm also quite surprised by that," he admits candidly. "I might have expected that my sprint wouldn't be that good anymore, because I also trained more towards the classics to get over that Poggio. That sprint there didn't say much either, as it was more of a junior sprint. Even Pogacar almost beat me there," Philipsen smiled.
"But ultimately, I'm pleased that things turned out okay. I find it impressive how the coaches can time that form so well: in Tirreno-Adriatico and the Opening Weekend, I didn't really feel great yet, but they already knew I didn't need to panic, while I was probably a bit impatient myself. They know what they are doing," concludes Philipsen.
Il Lombardia 2024
Want to advertize on IDLProCycling.com? We’re already planning for the 2025 season
Harsh Wuyts thinks Van Gils' breach of contract suits his image, agents understand choice
Visma | Lease a Bike realizes that with Milan Vader a story comes to its end: "For a moment we feared for your life"
November vacation month: Van der Poel receives wonderful card, Philipsen and Bernal enjoy, Evenepoel goes for a run
What's funny with Tom Pidcock is that not even his coach knows his potential on the road
Latest Cycling News
Want to advertize on IDLProCycling.com? We’re already planning for the 2025 season
Harsh Wuyts thinks Van Gils' breach of contract suits his image, agents understand choice
Visma | Lease a Bike realizes that with Milan Vader a story comes to its end: "For a moment we feared for your life"
November vacation month: Van der Poel receives wonderful card, Philipsen and Bernal enjoy, Evenepoel goes for a run
What's funny with Tom Pidcock is that not even his coach knows his potential on the road
Popular Cycling News
November vacation month: Van der Poel receives wonderful card, Philipsen and Bernal enjoy, Evenepoel goes for a run
Meanwhile in the peloton | Unibet Tietema Rockets signs Italian climber Carboni
Bakelants notices remarkable trend in transfers: "Van Aert, Pogacar, Van der Poel: they all did that"
Vingegaard responds cryptically to rumors: "I read somewhere that I might have to ride the Giro"
Visma | Lease a Bike realizes that with Milan Vader a story comes to its end: "For a moment we feared for your life"
Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024