The adventure for Jasper ended Philipsen In the Tour de France. And he did it cruelly. The fall suffered on Monday in the third stage of the Tour of Francia, After a hook in full fight for the flying goal, it caused a clavicle fracture and, at least, a broken rib. His career concluded on the floor of Isbergues And he continued on his way to the hospital of Herentals, The Belgian center that has become the world squad reference clinic. Instead of going to Hospital Alexandra Lepève Hospital Center in Dunkirk, much closer, Philipsen and his companions decided to go to the heretals. For a clear reason.
Video of the fall.
Herentals, a town located less than an hour from Antwerp and cradle of Wout van Aert, It is much more than a point on the map. It is a symbol. There, in him The Herencs, The doctor has worked for almost four decades Toon Claesan eminence in sports medicine. “Toon Rima with 'Bone' (bone),” Ironized journalist Olivier Nilsson-Julien in an extensive report published in Rouleur. And it's not for less: Boonen, Van Avermaet, Van der Poel, Alephilippe or Event (other) They have gone through their hands.
Claes, retired in 2023 but still linked to the hospital for clinical studies, has left his legacy in good hands: his children Tom and Steven are also surgeons. “When Van Avermaet arrived and saw that it was not Toon, he only said: 'You are a claes, you can do it,” Remember your son Tom in the same piece published by Rouleur, evidencing the weight of the last name in the world of cycling. From the Az Hentals hospital itself, they emphasize that the veteran doctor was “a visionary” who revolutionized how to treat injured athletes, bringing medicine closer to the real needs of the competitive calendar.
A clear example is that of Evans. In 2011, Cadel was treated there after a clavicle fracture five weeks before the tour. Against all forecast, Claes opted for conservative treatment and Evans won in Paris. “The fracture was well aligned. We did not want to touch fabrics or blood vessels. I put a tape on the shoulder and told him that after three days he went up to the roller, and that in ten it would ride by bike”the doctor explained.
Herentals It has become, by its own merits, in the medical capital of world cycling. Operations are fast, precise and oriented to the competition calendar. “If we operate, we do it as soon as possible. There is no time to lose”Toon usually says.
Philipsen, That he had already won in Lille and looked the yellow jersey this year, he was transferred to this sanctuary of recovery after confirming his decline. The director of the alpecin-sayuninck, Philip Roodooft, said that “the wounds were serious, could not follow. But the tour continues”. Meanwhile, the Belgian has already begun his recovery in the best possible place. In the medical temple of the great squad cracks.
An accident that reopens the debate
The fall of Philipsen, one of the worst news on a soporífera day and at the same time in the 'Grande Boucl', It caused a wave of squad reactions. Its sports director, Philip Roodhooft, He deeply regretted the situation and acknowledged that there was no room to continue: “The wounds were serious, it was seen from the beginning that I could not follow.” Mathieu van der Poel, Companion and friend, he tried to comfort him: “He must be proud of what he achieved. He won a stage and wore the yellow jersey. I know he is now touched, but he will return stronger.” Even Tadej Pogacarcurrent world champion, he joined the support from his networks: “It's very sad to see him fall like this. You'll return very soon!”
Bryan Coquard, Visibly affected after the fall that caused Jasper's abandonment, he offered his version of what happened and apologized publicly. “I am not a bad guy,” said the Cofidis cyclist, insisting that he did not act with bad intention and lost his balance in full dispute of the intermediate sprint. “I didn't know what happened, I think Milan touched my wheel or it was Rex who destabilized me,” he explained. The ICU has sanctioned with 500 Swiss francs, a yellow card and 13 penalty points. “I didn't want to close anyone or cause a fall. I'm very sorry for Jasper and his team”he added.
But beyond regret, the debate also emerged. Jonas Rickaert, Another of Alpecin's men was overwhelming: “This arrival was not worthy of the tour. If you can't see 100 meters ahead, it is simply dangerous.” The Belgian also criticized the intensity of the dispute over the intermediate points: “There are runners who shouldn't sprint there, but they do it the same.” Philipsen's accident, first tour of the Tour and one of the references of the world sprint, reopens the discussion of the safety in the flat stages and the convenience of certain locations for flying and mass goals.
