"Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen rejoin forces, aiming for victory on diverse fronts during the initial week of the Tour de France"
**Alpecin-Deceuninck Ready to Shine at the Tour de France**
As the Tour de France approaches, the Alpecin-Deceuninck team is gearing up for a challenging and exciting race. The squad, comprising Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, Kaden Groves, Jonas Rickaert, Emiel Verstrynge, Xandro Meurisse, Silvan Dillier, and Gianni Vermeersch, is ready to make their mark on the biggest race in cycling.
Jasper Philipsen, a Belgian sprinter, is considered one of the top contenders for sprint stages, particularly in uphill finishes. His powerful sprinting ability and strong leadout train make him a formidable competitor. Mathieu van der Poel, a Dutch rider, plays a crucial role in controlling the peloton's positioning, which benefits Philipsen in the final stages.
The team's leadout train strategy is highly effective. Van der Poel positions the team well at 3km to go, followed by Jonas Rickaert building speed on the uphill drag, and finally, Philipsen launching his sprint in the final 300m.
Philipsen is a favourite to win the first stage in Lille and potentially take the first yellow jersey. He believes he is in his best shape possible for the Tour de France and does not seem stressed about the number of wins he has, as he believes he is on track and in good shape.
While Alpecin-Deceuninck is more focused on sprint stages, Mathieu van der Poel's versatility allows him to perform well in hilly stages. Xandro Meurisse and other team members can support the team in hilly conditions, though their specific roles might be more supportive rather than leading contenders.
Van der Poel will still play a vital lead-out role for Philipsen, as he did in 2023 and 2024 when Philipsen won seven stages. There are opportunities for success on various stages from Saturday in Lille until the Pyrenees for the pair.
Van der Poel's stage rivals for the hilly finishes include Wout van Aert and GC contenders like Tadej Pogačar. However, van der Poel is aiming to help Philipsen in the Tour de France.
The first stage of the Tour de France in 2025 is expected to be a full bunch sprint, which is more suited to Philipsen. Despite losing out in head-to-head battles with Belgian sprint rival Tim Merlier, Philipsen regrets his injury-hit spring but has put it behind him.
With a Cyclingnews subscription, fans can enjoy unlimited access to their coverage of the event. The Tour de France promises to be an exciting race, and Alpecin-Deceuninck is poised to make a significant impact.
Sports enthusiasts eagerly await the Tour de France, with Alpecin-Deceuninck's Jasper Philipsen considered a top contender for sprint stages, particularly in uphill finishes. Mathieu van der Poel, a versatile rider within the team, plays a crucial role in supporting Philipsen's sprint attempts.
