Jasper Philipsen wins opening sprint and takes the Yellow Jersey

In a thrilling and dramatic start to the 2025 Tour de France, Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck emerged victorious in the opening sprint, defeating last year’s green jersey winner Biniam Girmay of Intermarché-Wanty and Søren Wærenskjold from Uno-X Mobility.

The win not only secures Philipsen the first race leader’s yellow jersey but also the coveted green jersey as the Tour kicks off in Lille.

The stage unfolded with intense competition and unexpected twists, as a chaotic lead group of 38 riders formed early in the race. Despite the fierce battle, it was the Alpecin-Deceuninck team that showcased their strength, with the legendary Mathieu van der Poel providing the perfect leadout for Philipsen in the final moments of a dramatic day.

“It's really amazing, this tenth victory is something I'll never forget,” Philipsen expressed after his win. “Just the team performance – we were up there all day. It was very nervous, but today just had to be our day, and we had to be in the front. The team did amazing, and in the end, we just had to use our strength, be there, and finish it off.”

As the race progressed, Benjamin Thomas from Cofidis took an early lead in the mountains classification by securing two points from a breakaway, while Girmay, at just 25 years old, claimed the title of best young rider.

However, the day was not without its challenges for some of the top contenders. Jonas Vingegaard from Visma-Lease a Bike and Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG made it into the lead group, but the big losers of the day were Remco Evenepoel from Soudal-QuickStep and Primož Roglic of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who found themselves trailing 39 seconds behind the other favorites.

Tragedy struck the Ineos Grenadiers team when Filippo Ganna crashed heavily mid-stage, becoming the first abandonment of the 2025 Tour. The dramatic events of the day set a high-stakes tone for the upcoming stages, as cyclists prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

Philipsen’s victory not only adds to his impressive career tally but also sets the stage for an exhilarating Tour de France. With the adrenaline pumping through the streets of Lille and the crowd cheering, Philipsen felt an extraordinary surge of energy that propelled him to the finish line. “The final two kilometers with all the people gave me goosebumps. I knew we just had to do it, and my legs got some extra strength because of the adrenaline riding through Lille. It was just an incredible feeling,” he added.

As the Tour de France continues, cycling fans around the world can expect fierce competition and exhilarating performances from the peloton. With Philipsen in the yellow jersey, the race is poised for an unforgettable journey through France.

VIDEO: 2025 Tour de France Stage 1 Final km's

2025 Tour de France Stage 1 Top 10

1  Philipsen Jasper Alpecin-Deceuninck 03:53:11
2  Girmay Biniam Intermarché-Wanty + 00
3  Wærenskjold Søren Uno-X Mobility + 00
4  Turgis Anthony Team TotalEnergies + 00
5  Trentin Matteo Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 00
6  Russo Clément Groupama-FDJ + 00
7  Penhoët Paul Groupama-FDJ + 00
8  Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 00
9  Mayrhofer Marius Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 00
10  Watson Sam INEOS Grenadiers + 00