UAE Team Emirates (Australia) - The Belgian takes the 5th stage after Ewan regulated.

Jasper Philipsen put his name on the first victory of the 2019 year for UAE Team Emirates.

The 20-year-old new professional only needed five days of racing to take his first win in UAE Team Emirates colours. That came in Strathalbyn after 149.5km of racing from Glenelg in the Tour Down Under’s fifth stage.

Philipsen was not the first rider over the line, instead it was Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal). However, the jury regulated Ewan to the back of the pack for an irregular sprint and gave the honours to Philipsen, second over the line.

“It’s an important victory for me, my first WorldTour race, but it arrived in a strange way, so I missed that feeling of crossing the line first. Still, success is always beautiful and I’m very content to have taken it,” Philipsen said. “The final, just like in the past days, had a lot of movement. There was a good fight for position and a crash, but I was in good position for the last curve. I feel that I have strength and spark, and like that I was able to realise a good sprint. Thanks to the team and the sponsors who wanted me and brought me into this team. And to all my team-mates for the contestant support that they gave these days“.

Philipsen (photograph by Bettini), arrived ahead of Peter Sagan (Team Bora-Hansgrohe) and Danny Van Poppel (Jumbo-Visma).

UAE Team Emirates keeps command of the team classification, while Jan Polanc climbed to fifth place overall at 26″ from leader Patrick Beven (CCC). Diego Ulissi sits 11th at 26″ and Pogačar 14th also at 26”. The last stage Sunday arrives on top of Willunga Hill, which will decide the final overall of the Australian stage race.

Stage 5 results:

1. Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates ) 3h37’00”

2. Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) s.t.

3. Danny Van Poppel (Team Jumbo-Visma) s.t.

Overall classification after 5 stages:

1. Patrick Bevin (CCC Team) 17h00’25”

2. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) 7″

3. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) 16″

5. Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) 26″