The 2025 Tour de France has suffered a major blow as Jasper Philipsen, the reigning green jersey winner, was forced to abandon the race following a dramatic crash during Stage 3. The Belgian sprinter, who had already claimed the yellow jersey on the opening stage, fell heavily during an intermediate sprint attempt, ending his campaign prematurely.

With Philipsen out of contention, the battle for the green jersey is now wide open, with riders like Biniam Girmay and Jonathan Milan emerging as new favorites. Meanwhile, questions swirl about the severity of Philipsen’s injuries and his recovery timeline ahead of future races.

This marks a heartbreaking turn for the Alpecin-Deceuninck star, who began the Tour with a dominant sprint victory in Lille and high hopes of defending his points classification title.

Jasper Philipsen out of Tour de France 2025 after crash – Who will win green jersey now and what’s next for his recovery?

How bad is Jasper Philipsen’s injury and when will he return?

The Belgian sprinter suffered a heavy fall during an intermediate sprint in Stage 3, forcing him to abandon the race. Early reports indicate a fractured collarbone and severe road rash. Similar injuries typically require 4-6 weeks of recovery, potentially sidelining Philipsen until late August.

Impact on Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Tour strategy

With their star sprinter out, the team must pivot their strategy. Mathieu van der Poel now becomes their primary focus for stage wins, though the Dutchman isn’t known for competing in bunch sprints.

Who are the new favorites for the green jersey after Philipsen’s exit?

The points classification has been thrown wide open. Biniam Girmay emerges as the new favorite, having finished second to Philipsen in Stage 1. Other contenders include:

• Jonatan Milan – The Italian powerhouse making his Tour debut
• Wout van Aert – If he decides to shift focus from GC ambitions
• Mads Pedersen – Consistent finisher with climbing ability

Girmay’s emotional reaction to winning green last year shows how much this means to him. Without Philipsen, this could be his breakthrough moment.

But what about Van der Poel? He’s been working so hard for Philipsen – maybe now he’ll get his own chances?

Will Philipsen’s crash affect his performance in upcoming classics?

The timing is particularly cruel, falling just weeks before key late-season races like the EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg (August 17) and GP Québec/Montréal (September 13). Recovery timelines suggest he might miss Hamburg but return for Canadian races.

Has this happened before? Tour de France sprinters forced to abandon early

History shows several similar cases:

What changes for Remco Evenepoel’s GC ambitions without Philipsen?

While seemingly unrelated, Philipsen’s absence alters race dynamics. With Alpecin-Deceuninck likely reducing sprint focus, controlling breakaways becomes more challenging for GC teams.

Evenepoel’s Soudal-QuickStep now faces increased pressure to control stages in the first week, potentially costing them energy for mountain stages.

That’s so interesting! I wouldn’t have connected Philipsen’s crash to Evenepoel’s GC chances at all!

How will Philipsen’s exit affect Tour de France TV ratings?

As one of cycling’s most popular sprinters, his absence may impact viewership in Belgium and sprint-focused markets. Broadcasters might need to adjust commentary focus toward GC battles and remaining sprint contenders.

Will Philipsen’s insurance cover his lost bonuses?

Top sprinters typically have performance-based contracts with substantial Tour de France bonuses. Professional cyclists generally carry specialized insurance for such eventualities, though policy details remain confidential.