SINGAPORE: Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen outsprinted tough competition in a scorching finish at the second Tour de France Singapore Criterium today.
After 20 laps around a three-kilometre route in the tropical heat, the Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter overtook Mark Cavendish and two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar in the final 200 metres.
Pogacar broke away from Italian mountain specialist Giulio Ciccone and Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss just before the last lap, keeping ahead for most of the lap.
But the 25-year-old got tired and lost his advantage in the last 200 metres as Philipsen and veteran British sprinter Cavendish overtook him in the final sprint.
"It was hard to catch (Pogacar) but we got him in the end," Philipsen, winner of four stages at the Tour de France, told reporters after the race.
"I didn't do so much during the race, so I just tried to save as much as possible for the end. And I knew I had a strong team so they could bring it back even though (Pogacar) was really strong. But yeah, I was happy I could finish off in a sprint."
Cavendish, widely considered the best sprinter of all time, said 25-year-old Philipsen "came out like a rocket."
After suffering a broken collarbone that forced him to abandon this year's Tour de France, 38-year-old Cavendish announced earlier this month he would dump retirement plans to launch another attempt to break the record for stage wins.
The exhibition race took place under clear skies after thunderstorms during most of the week, but 30-degree-Celsius heat increased the level of difficulty.
"I think it was a really hard race," Philipsen said. "The temperatures made it really hard. The Tour de France is the most important goal for us so we are not on this level. But for sure, we had to go deep to go for the win."
The Suntec City street circuit took racers past landmarks in downtown Singapore such as the Merlion, the durian-resembling Esplanade arts centre, and Suntec City's Fountain of Wealth roundabout. — AFP