Philipsen eyes title on 'happy hunting ground'

Cycling fans can expect some “fast racing” at the Tour de France EFGH Singapore Criterium on Nov 2, when some of the world’s top sprint cyclists compete for the winner’s trophy.

- Melvyn Teoh

Among the favourites is 2023 champion Jasper Philipsen, who finished just behind legendary British cyclist Mark Cavendish in 2024.

With Cavendish hanging up his helmet and cleats, the Belgian will be trying to emerge victorious from a sprint field that includes Italy’s green jersey winner Jonathan Milan and Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay, who in 2024 became the first black African to win a stage in the Tour de France.

Speaking at a media conference at the Singapore Recreation Club on Nov 1, Philipsen, who has won 10 stages on the Tour and races for WorldTeam Alpecin-Deceuninck, said: “It’s been a while since I won here...

“With Mark’s win last year, I hope to do better this year.”

When asked what makes Singapore such a happy hunting ground for him, the 27-year-old laughed and added: “It’s flat, so that helps. But I’ve actually gone riding here, and there’s one hill in Singapore, one hill, one kilometre is the maximum they have. So that’s still in my capabilities.