Jasper Philipsen won his third stage win at this year’s Tour de France ahead of Mark Cavendish – Getty Images/Marco Bertorello
Jasper Philipsen denied Mark Cavendish a record-breaking Tour de France victory on the line as the Belgian won stage seven on the line in Bordeaux.
Philipsen made it three wins from three sprint stages in a row in this Tour as he came around Cavendish in the final few metres, leaving the Manxman to curse as he rolled in second, still tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 career Tour wins.
The 38-year-old had come from well down in the pack to power his way down the right hand side and up to the front of the race, but Philipsen sat on his wheel to come by, with Biniam Girmay in third.
The sprint finish to the 170km stage from Mont-de-Marsan meant no major changes at the top of the general classification, in which defending champion Jonas Vingegaard leads from Tadej Pogacar.
But all eyes had been on the sprinters, with Cavendish hoping to make more Tour history 16 years to the day since he made his debut in the race in London on 2007.
The Astana Qazaqstan rider had been several places down in the pack as they negotiated a tight and twisty approach to the long finishing straight but moved up well and looked to have the speed he needed as he found a path down the right hand side to reach the front, only to see Philipsen come past.
Philipsen said: “I think we can’t be proud enough on our team achievement. Without them it would never be possible to get the third stage win already. I’m just really proud of them and how we worked together, how we found each other in the final.
“That leads to success and I’m super happy and proud…I never had to do a big effort before I could launch my sprint and that’s how we win.
“If you told me [three stage wins] one week ago I’d think you were crazy. So far it’s a dream Tour for us and hopefully we can add another one.
“[Cavendish] was really strong. I would also have loved to see him win, I think everybody would, but I’m sure he will keep on trying. He’s up there, in good condition, and it will be hard.”PA
05:13 PM BST
What could have been
We were so close to a record-breaking day for Mark Cavendish. The Manx missile came agonisingly close to that 35th stage victory at the Tour but it was not to be as the dominant sprinter at this year’s Tour so far Jasper Philipsen pipped him at the post.
It was a quiet day for most of the stage with only a handful of riders in breakaways during the day. But as we entered into Bordeaux and a tricky final few kilometres, the race came alive.
Philipsen yet again had a good lead-out from his team-mate Mathieu van der Poel but with 200 metres to go it looked Cav had it. But, as he admitted after the race, he had problems with his gears which proved costly as Philipsen passed him just before the line. Philipsen though looked lucky to escape punishment for impeding Biniam Girmay. That is now three out of three for Philipsen on this year’s edition of the Tour and five dating back to last year. A man in form you could say. For Cavendish, he will have to wait another day to try and get that 35th stage victory.
So close yet so far for Cav!
05:06 PM BST
Mark Cavendish speaking to Eurosport
“I was in quite a good position. It looked like I was far back. But I was okay, in where I wanted to be. It’s a long straight finish. Cees [Bol] had moved me up with good speed into the last kilometre. I was on the right wheels.
“I kicked a little earlier than I’d like, but actually, still about the same time as I did in 2010.
“Once I kicked, I started, the gears jumped from the 11 to the 12, I had to sit down. Cadence just whacks up. Then it goes back to the 11th, I tried to stand up. I needed to sit down. There was nothing you could do except, like, kind of hope. I’m bitterly disappointed there. Really disappointed. But we keep on trying … we can be positive.”
04:49 PM BST
The emotion of winning
Another day, another stage win for Jasper Philipsen. Look what it means to him:
04:41 PM BST
Philipsen lucky
The more and more we are seeing the replays of Philipsen coming across Girmay whilst following Cavendish’s wheel the more it looks like Philipsen is very lucky to escape punishment. Some will say that is a part of sprinting but Girmay will certainly not agree with that. Here is a replay of those final stages. You can draw your own conclusions. What do you think?
04:40 PM BST
Issues for Cavendish in the sprint
Mark Cavendish has been speaking to Eurosport and has admitted that he was having gear issues during his sprint. What could have been for the Manx missile? At the end of the interview you could hear someone shout “Cav you are a legend”. That is absolutely right, he is a legend!
04:38 PM BST
Philipsen wins again
Jasper Philipsen is dominating the sprints and the points classification – Reuters/Benoit Tessier
04:27 PM BST
Reaction from the stage winner
Three stage wins already in this edition of the Tour for Jasper Philipsen. Let’s hear from him now:
04:26 PM BST
Should Philipsen have been punished?
Looking back at some of the replays, Philipsen is perhaps a little bit lucky not be penalised. In the sprint as he got onto Cavendish’s wheel, he comes across the line of Binian Girmay, who looked unhappy with Philipsen. A Philipsen penalty would result in Cav winning that 35th stage but the results are now official. We could get a protest in theory.
Binian Girmay was unhappy with stage winner Jasper Philipsen – AP/Thibault Camus
04:18 PM BST
Philipsen dominating the sprints
Dating back into last year, Philipsen has now won the last five sprint stages at the Tour, including three during this edition. He owes a lot though to his team-mate Mathieu van der Poel, who has been a phenomenal lead-out man for Philipsen.
Jasper Philipsen just pipped Mark Cavendish on the line in Bordeaux – Getty Images/Tim de Waele
04:17 PM BST
General classification after stage seven
Tour de France: General classification top 10 after stage seven
04:14 PM BST
Result of stage seven
Tour de France: Stage six – top five
04:11 PM BST
Cavendish denied by Philipsen!
It looked like Cavendish was going to get that 35th stage victory but it is Philipsen who wins again and denies Cav the record. Absolutely heartbreaking. He was a way back with around 1.5km to go but exploded in the final 500m. But Philipsen, who won the previous two sprint stages, reeled him in and just pipped him.
04:09 PM BST
1km to go
Under the flamme rouge we go. Cavendish is quite far back at the moment. Philipsen perfectly placed.
04:08 PM BST
2km to go
Alpecin-Deceuninck have their lead-out train in place ready for Philipsen.
04:07 PM BST
2.5km to go
The likes of Philipsen, Ewan and Groenewegen all near the front ready for the sprint.
04:06 PM BST
3.5km to go
Latour is caught and things are hotting up!
04:06 PM BST
4km to go
The pace is electric in the final stages. Latour has nearly been caught with 4km to go
04:05 PM BST
5km to go
Wout van Aert has dropped off the back of the peloton. He did admit before the stage that he was probably not going to go for the stage. Latour has dropped Peters and he now goes solo.
04:04 PM BST
6km to go
Plenty of roundabouts on the way into Bordeaux. Jumbo-Visma are at the front of the peloton, although they have said they will not be going for the sprint.
04:03 PM BST
7.5km to go
The peloton have nearly caught the lead duo as they hit a very narrow roundabout which will string out the peloton.
04:00 PM BST
10km to go
Declercq is now done and there is not great order at the front of the peloton. It is Lotto-Dstny who are leading the charge. The peloton is being strung out a little bit here.
03:59 PM BST
11km to go
The gap is just over 30 seconds. Tim Declercq of Soudal-Quick Step is on the front of the peloton.
03:56 PM BST
14km to go
A message over the Lotto-Dstny team radio telling the riders to make sure they stay at the front, especially with that tricky end to the stage. The gap to the lead duo is 40 seconds.
03:54 PM BST
16km to go
This is the tricky layout that awaits the peloton in the final parts of the stage.
The layout at the end of stage seven
03:51 PM BST
18km to go
A few kilometres back you could sense some panic in the peloton but now they will feel like they have this under control. The gap is just over 40 seconds.
03:50 PM BST
20km to go
We are inside the final 20km and the gap to the lead duo is under a minute.
03:45 PM BST
24km to go
Nans Peters should not be ignored here. The AG2R-Citroën rider is a strong baroudeur, and has ghosted away off the front of small breakaways before in the grand tours to take stage wins. First at the Giro d’Italia in 2019, and then again at the Tour de France last year. One suspects, though, the sprinters’ teams will have too much for the Frenchman on this occasion. Misjudge this, though, and he could be adding a third major win to his palmarès.
03:43 PM BST
25km to go
This gap was a small concern a few kilometres back but now it is becoming very concerning for the peloton. The gap stands at one minute and 10 seconds. The odds of the lead duo winning is increasing with every kilometre that goes by and the gap not coming down.
Peters (left) and Latour still out in front, can they stay out? – Getty Images/Michael Steele
03:39 PM BST
29km to go
There is a little bit of concern in the peloton with this gap that Peters and Latour have built. The sprinters team will have to step it up much earlier than they would have wanted to.
03:37 PM BST
31km to go
The gap that Latour and Peters have over the peloton stands at one minute and 10 seconds. They could not pull off a shock here, could they?
Nans Peters and Pierre Latour (right) hold a one-minute advantage over the peloton – Getty Images/Michael Steele
03:31 PM BST
36km to go
There is currently a strong tailwind which means the pace is very high. Guglielmi has been swallowed up by the peloton. A courageous ride from the Frenchman. Out in front Peters and Latour are going at it really hard.
03:29 PM BST
39km to go
We have just had a very short category four climb up the Côte de Béguey, where Peters and Latour, who broke away from the peloton after the intermediate sprint, have dropped Guglielmi. A bold ride from Guglielmi but it was always going to end in disappointment. Latour got the one king of the mountains point at the top. The peloton are a minute behind the lead duo.
03:22 PM BST
43km to go
With just over 40km to go on today’s stage, the teams are getting their lead-out trains in order. After a quiet start to the stage the pace is beginning to pick up as we head towards Bordeaux.
The peloton are starting to ramp up the pace – Getty Images/Anne-Christine Poujoulat
03:19 PM BST
45km to go
Good news. Cavendish is back in the peloton, who are 40 seconds behind the breakaway. We are very much in wine country down in southwest France. Beautiful scenery.
03:14 PM BST
49km to go
Slightly concerningly Mark Cavendish is still off the back of the peloton by around 20 seconds. The peloton are now just 50 seconds behind the lead trio.
03:07 PM BST
55km to go
The pace is pretty high at the moment on the front of the peloton. Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) has had a wheel change but he has a couple of team-mates to help him back to the peloton.
03:03 PM BST
59km to go
As previously mentioned, the lead group is now made up of three riders. They have a lead over the peloton of one minute 10 seconds.
Nans Peters (front), Pierre Latour (centre) and Simon Guglielmi in the breakaway – AP/Daniel Cole
02:52 PM BST
69km to go
Points classification standings after the intermediate sprint:
1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), 165pts
2. Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), 117pts
3. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), 92pts
4. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), 86pts
02:49 PM BST
71km to go
Latour and Peters have caught up with Guglielmi. The peloton are only 30 seconds behind though.
Pierre Latour (front), Simon Guglielmi (middle) and Nans Peters in the breakaway – Getty Images/Anne-Christine Poujoulat
02:45 PM BST
75km to go
There has been an attack off the front of the peloton after the intermediate sprint. Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) and Nans Peters (AG2R-Citroën) have gone after Guglielmi. They are 20 seconds behind the lone leader.
02:43 PM BST
76km to go
Result of the intermediate sprint:
1. Simon Guglielmi, 20 pts
2. Biniam Girmay, 17 pts
3. Jasper Philipsen, 15 pts
4. Bryan Coquard, 13 pts
5. Jordi Meeus, 11 pts
6. Mads Pedersen, 10 pts
7. Corbin Strong, 9 pts
8. Alexander Kristoff, 8 pts
9. Mark Cavendish, 7 pts
10. Mikkel Bjerg, 6 pts
02:37 PM BST
82km to go
Guglielmi takes the maximum 20 points. Behind in the peloton it is Binian Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) who goes over in second place, narrowly edging out Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who currently leads the points classification. The gap to the leader is now down to just 40 seconds. That run to the intermediate sprint was a false flat so not a simple sprint to get those points.
02:34 PM BST
83km to go
Guglielmi is 1km from the immediate sprint. Meanwhile in the peloton the sprinters team are forming their lead-outs, which will bring the lead down dramatically. 20 points for first, 17 for second and 15 for third.
02:30 PM BST
85km to go
We are nearly at the intermediate sprint at Grignols. Guglielmi still has a lead of two minutes and 20 seconds so he will take maximum points. Which of the sprinters will claim second?
02:15 PM BST
94km to go
The gap out in front is coming down. It is down to two and a half minutes. We are just over 10km from the intermediate sprint.
02:11 PM BST
97km to go
On a day in which the Manx missile could make history, the whole Cavendish clan are in town:
02:06 PM BST
100km to go
We have just dipped under the 100km to go mark. Guglielmi’s lead is excatly three minutes.
01:59 PM BST
105km to go
We have an intermediate sprint coming up in just over 20km at Grignols. There are 20 points available for the first across the line at the intermediate sprint, with 17pts for second and 15pts for third. The question is will the peloton have caught Guglielmi by that point so that maximum points are available for the sprinters. The gap currently stands at three minutes 15 seconds.
The intermediate sprint offers good points for the sprinters – Shutterstock/Christophe Petit Tesson
01:52 PM BST
111km to go
Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-Samsic) is still out in front, all on his own. His advantage back to the peloton is three and a half minutes.
French rider Simon Guglielmi all on his own in the breakaway – Shutterstock/Christophe Petit Tesson
01:44 PM BST
Points classification
Today we fully expect a sprint finish in Bordeaux, so here is a look at the point classification going into stage seven:
1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 150pts
2. Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) 104pts
3. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 92pts
4. Victor Lafay (Cofidis) 80pts
5. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) 76pts
6. Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) 73pts
7. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 70pts
8. Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) 62pts
9. Jain Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) 51pts
10. Neilson Powless (EF-Education EasyPost) 45pts
01:36 PM BST
Reminder of the general classification
Today should have no bearing on the general classification, but after an explosive couple of stages in the Pyrenees let’s have a look at the standings going into today:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 26hrs 10mins 44secs
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +25secs
3. Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) +1min 34secs
4. Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) 3mins 14secs
5. Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) 3mins 30secs
6. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +3mins 40secs
7. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +4mins 03secs
8. Romain Bardet (DSM) +4mins 42secs
9. Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) Same time
10. Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) +5mins 28secs
01:34 PM BST
Vanmarcke retires from professional cycling
In other cycling news this morning, Sep Vanmarcke has announced his retirement from professional cycling effective immediately due to medical reasons. The 34-year-old will call time on his 14-year career, of which the past two and a half years were spent at Israel-Premier Tech, during which time he won the likes of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Bretagne Classic, the inaugural Maryland Classic, and graced the podium of Paris-Roubaix and Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Sep Vanmarcke had a 14-year professional career, spending the last two a half years at Israel-Premier Tech – Velo/Mark van Hecke
Following an abnormally high heart rate detected while on the bike, Vanmarcke underwent testing including a cardiac MRI which confirmed the presence of scar tissue. The high risk of further cardiac complications posed by the scar tissue means that Vanmarcke will no longer be able to continue racing as a professional cyclist.
“When I pinned a number for the first time back in 2003, I never dared to dream about having a professional career. I ended up living that dream for 14 years, with highs and lows. I wasn’t the super talent, but with dedication and hard work I was able to compete with the best riders in the biggest races for years. I got to know many people and cultures all over the world and have been to places I never heard of before.
“I would have liked to have raced at the highest level for a few more years and achieve more great performances together with IPT in the biggest races. It is very sad and painful to announce the end of my career in this way. At the same time, I am grateful that the problems with my heart were discovered in time. I’m going to take the time now to be with my family, to accept the situation and think about what I want to do in the future. My whole life has been all about cycling. Cycling will always be my passion.”
01:22 PM BST
131km to go
The peloton are just gradually reeling Guglielmi in. His advantage is now down to around four minutes having been up at about seven. On a flat stage it is so difficult for one rider to hold off a peloton of over 150 riders who can just rotate who is on the front.
The peloton are gradually reeling in Guglielmi – Getty Images/Anne-Christine Poujoulat
01:15 PM BST
Can Ewan win the sprint?
It has been a torrid last couple of years for Australia’s Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) at the Tour. He came so close to winning though on stage four when Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) pipped him to the line in Nogaro. The Lotto-Dstny team have been on the radio feeling that today is their day. Will Ewan be able to end his misery at the Tour in recent editions in the sprint in Bordeaux.
Caleb Ewan (right) narrowly missed out on victory on stage four to Jasper Philipsen – AP/Daniel Cole
01:11 PM BST
Tweak to the closing stages
There is a change to the final stages for today’s finish in Bordeaux. Usually we have a 3km rule meaning anyone who crashes in the final 3km is given the same time as the leaders across the line. Today though that has been extended to 3.5km so for all the general classification teams looking to take care of their leaders that 3.5km mark is the key point for them to reach today.
Explained | What is ‘the 3.5km rule’?
01:05 PM BST
Could it be 35 for Cavendish today?
As John mentioned earlier, today marks the 16th anniversary of Mark Cavendish’s Tour debut. Today’s stage ends in Bordeaux, where Cavendish won the last time a stage finished there in 2010. He is gunning for stage win number 35 today, which as everyone knows by now would create history. Let’s hear from the Manx missile on what he remembers of that day in 2010 which will help him today:
12:59 PM BST
What’s happened so far
As we could have predicted on a flat stage like today, it has been a fairly quiet start to stage seven. When the flag dropped, four riders attacked off the front of the peloton; Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-Samsic) and Mathieu Burgeaudeau (Total Energies). Very quickly though Abrahamsen, Oliveira and Burgeadudeau were called back by their teams which left Guglielmi out all on his own.
Simon Guglielmi all on his own out in front – AFP/Thomas Samson
The pace in the peloton has been very pedestrian to say the least allowing Guglielmi’s advantage to go out to over seven minutes. Conisdering it is a very flay stage, the peloton have this completely under control and there is no way Guglielmi will be able to stay out on his own all day.
11:33 AM BST
Stage seven preview
Hello and welcome to our live rolling coverage from stage seven at the Tour de France, the 169.9 kilometre run from Mont-de-Marsan to Bordeaux. With just one categorised climb – the 1.2km long ascent of the Côte de Béguey – and only 808 metres of vertical elevation, this is one that is widely expected to end in a bunch sprint.
Stage Seven Profile- Tour de France 2023 route, teams and how to watch on TV
While it is unlikely that anybody will be desperate to burn too many matches to take the solitary point atop the aforementioned category four climb, there is plenty to fight over for those with designs on the maillot vert, the green jersey worn by the leader in the points classification.
Copy of Points classification: What is up for grabs today?
Given he has won the only two sprint stages at this year’s Tour – and the last two available at last year’s race – the in-form Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is man to watch this afternoon. Not only does the Belgian have the leg speed to finish this type of stage off, but he also has a certain Mathieu van der Poel (a man more than capable of winning sprint finish) riding as the perfect lead-out man.
Jasper Philipsen thanks domestique-deluxe and lead-out man par excellence Mathieu van der Poel following his win in Nogaro – Getty Images/David Ramos
Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) has the traditional lead-out train to assist him, but the Dutchman crashed on Tuesday and has suffered like a dog in the Pyrenees so it will be interesting to see how, if at all, he has recovered. Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny), Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-Al Ula), Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) and Sam Welsford (DSM Firmenich) will also fancy their chances too.
Students of the sport will be aware that the last time a Tour stage finished in Bordeaux (in 2010), a certain young Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) prevailed after beating Julian Dean and Alessandro Petacchi to the line at the end of stage 18. If they have been doing their homework, those students will also realise that today marks the 16th anniversary of Cavendish’s Tour debut on the streets on London, a stone’s throw from us here at Telegraph Sport Towers.
Axel Merckx (left) and Mark Cavendish pictured ahead of the 2007 prologue in London – Getty Images/Mike Hewitt
Incidentally, on that July afternoon in 2007 when the rosy-cheeked youngster barrelled his way around the London prologue, Cavendish was a T-Mobile team-mate of Axel Merckx; today he will be hoping to pull one stage win clear of another Merckx – Axel’s father Eddy – and become the outright Tour’s all-time stage record holder with a 35th victory etched into his palmarès.
Anyway, whatever happens today, Telegraph Sport will be here to guide you through all of the key moments, taking you all the way to the line in Bordeaux..
Live coverage here will get under way at 1pm (BST).
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