Tim Merlier sprinted to sixth place in Gent-Wevelgem. Jasper Philipsen did not participate.
The four escapees sprinted for the win, while Alpecin-Fenix only let Gianni Vermeersch work to get them back.
So no Jasper Philipsen to help get the refugees back. “No. We chose to have them both sprint,” says manager Philip Roodhooft in Het Nieuwsblad.
But Philipsen also did not sprint for sixth place. “Too chaotic and it wasn’t for the win anyway. That one of us had to sacrifice ourselves? That is not being done.”
It still remains a bit strange, with two sprinters, without ranking. “No, this is logical, isn’t it? Just look at the other teams: Ballerini-Jakobsen at Quick-Step, Stuyven-Pedersen at Trek… They were all given their chance too.”
“We have chosen to play both out for the sprint. Vermeersch simply didn’t get any support from other teams, it was that simple. To be clear, there is no problem with Philipsen and Merlier. That has never happened before and after the game I didn’t hear either of them complaining.”
