Jasper Philipsen explains how Stage 17 win at 2026 Tour de France 'cost me a few years of my life'
Updated 23/07/2026 at 12:16 GMT+1
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Jasper Philipsen has admitted he struggled to find his best form at the Tour de France before his first stage victory of the race on Wednesday, which also propelled him into contention for the green jersey.
Emotional Philipsen reveals mental struggles during 'rollercoaster' 2026 Tour
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Alpecin-Premier Tech rider sprinted to the finish in Voiron to move just seven points behind Mads Pedersen in the points classification.
But in a candid post-race interview, Philipsen spoke about his struggles at the Tour de France up until this point.
"After such a rollercoaster of emotions in this Tour de France, I had to wait until Stage 17," Philipsen said. "I prepared very, very well, I was in the shape of my life.
"The first 12 days were just horrible. I couldn't find myself, couldn't find the feeling I was hoping for.
"After 17 stages, to take the victory, it's really one for the team that keep on believing in me. I just want to thank everybody.
"I was disappointed in myself, angry that I couldn’t take stage wins, that I didn't find my feeling and my team had to deal with it, not only the riders but the staff. This one is for them, to keep on believing and fighting back.
"This victory really cost me a few years of my life I think. I was fighting somewhere in the middle between groups.
"I thought the stage was lost but the team kept on believing, we tried to make a plan and in the end they were super strong, the guys, and they really delivered at the finish line."
Asked if he had experienced any doubts heading into the Tour, Philipsen said: "Of course. Just doubting myself. I did everything I could before this Tour de France, an amazing preparation with the team. I was just not myself.
"Was it because of the heat? It was really horrible. Was it something else? I don't know. It was just the fact I was not on my level that I was hoping for."
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Philipsen also revealed that he deleted his Instagram account prior to the Tour in an attempt to shut out any outside noise.
"Mentally, it was a really tough roller coaster, all the s*** you get deleting Instagram and whatever, just trying to be with my team members in our own bubble and working to our next goals," he said.
The 28-year-old now appears to be in a battle with Pedersen to win the green jersey, with the Lidl-Trek rider furious with what he labelled a "proper s*** day".
"Of course, with this win I take a lot of points with Mads [Pedersen]," Philipsen said of his green jersey prospects. "He really tried hard today, took points in the intermediate. The next stages are very tough but I will keep on fighting until Paris."
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Highlights: Philipsen blows green jersey race wide open with thrilling Stage 17 win
Video credit: TNT Sports
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Watch and stream the 2026 Tour de France on TNT Sports and HBO Max
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