Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen head into the 2025 Tour de France with a shared goal and a proven formula: deliver sprint stage victories and potentially secure the yellow jersey before the race hits the mountains. The Alpecin-Deceuninck duo have combined for 10 Tour stage wins over the past four editions, and they’re poised to target multiple opportunities during what promises to be a brutal, chaotic first week.
“We go for Jasper in the bunch sprints,” Van der Poel said on Thursday ahead of the Grand Départ in Lille. “He’s already proved himself in the last few years. The more punchy stages we can play both cards, depending on how we feel.”
Philipsen eyes yellow on stage 1
Philipsen was direct about his objective: Lille. With stage 1 expected to end in a pure bunch sprint, he sees a real opportunity to take the first yellow jersey of the race – a rare opening for a sprinter, and one he’s never previously had.
“This is probably the first time the yellow is possible for me,” Philipsen said. “There won’t be many [chances] in the future, so it’s an important day.”
Despite only two victories so far in 2025 – Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and a stage at the Baloise Belgium Tour – the Belgian believes he’s hit form at just the right moment.
“I think I’m on track and my shape is good. I crashed in the Classics, but the last few weeks went well, I’m in my best shape possible,” he said. “Saturday is probably the nicest opportunity.”
Photo Credit: GettyVan der Poel focusing on punchy finishes and teamwork
Van der Poel won’t target the points jersey or bunch sprints but is fully committed to supporting Philipsen, alongside Kaden Groves, who has been added to bolster the lead-out train. At the same time, the Dutchman has clear personal ambitions on hillier stages like stage 2 to Boulogne-sur-Mer and the Mûr-de-Bretagne finish.
“There are some opportunities in the first week. It’s a nice opening with a lot of chances for our team,” he said. “I’m still aiming to help Jasper… but we’ll both have our chances depending on the parcours.”
Van der Poel also pointed out the added tactical complexity in 2025, with GC riders like Tadej Pogačar expected to contest bonus seconds on punchy stages.
“It will be hard, nervous racing,” he said. “There are a lot of riders who can win a stage like this one.”
Photo Credit: GettySafety concerns over increased peloton size
Van der Poel also voiced concern about the UCI’s decision to increase the Tour de France peloton from 176 to 184 riders, following the addition of a 23rd team. He questioned whether adding more riders to already crowded sprint finishes and narrow early stages was the right move.
“It will always be unsafe in the bunch, whether you add something or not,” he said. “But maybe making the bunch even bigger is a mistake. Less teams, less riders – that will make the biggest difference.”
The comment adds to a broader rider debate around safety, positioning and space within Grand Tour racing – particularly relevant given the expected chaos in the first 10 days, with a series of sprint stages, technical finishes and transition days before the mountains.
Alpecin-Deceuninck’s dual ambitions
With Philipsen gunning for yellow and multiple sprint wins, and Van der Poel eyeing stage victories and controlling punchy finales, Alpecin-Deceuninck will be on the front foot from kilometre one. Both riders are keenly aware of what’s at stake – not just jerseys, but momentum in the opening week of a Tour that promises to be hectic from the start.
As Van der Poel summed up: “We obviously have a plan, but we can’t tell the media. We’ll just try to be at the front and see where it takes us.”
