Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): "Winning is always a nice feeling and especially when there’s a reward like the red jersey so it’s a nice present. I really have to thank my teammate again, just like in the Tour. We managed to do our lead-out how we wanted to. The team was very strong with Jonas [Rickaert] and Edward [Planckaert]. In the final kilometre, they executed the plan perfectly. I only had to start sprinting with 175 metres and I’m really happy that it works out for us. After my crash in the Tour, I was really disappointed to be out. We had worked really hard for it, it was a major goal. After a setback, you have to find new goals. This was a nice one and I knew we had one chance. There aren’t many opportunities for a sprinter like me in La Vuelta. It will be tough. I had some bad luck this season but also some very nice victories, like at the Tour and this one.
I haven’t seen myself in a mirror yet but red is a nice colour! It was a major opportunity to get it once and I’m really happy we took it. This jersey motivated me the last few weeks and it’s always great when you work towards a goal and then when you succeed. It doesn’t always happen. I’m really gonna enjoy the day. It will only be one day, as tomorrow is too hard for me but I will enjoy every moment.”
