Jasper Philipsen has taken the first victory of the 2019 season for UAE Team Emirates and the first WorldTour victory of his career.

The 20-year-old new professional only needed five days of racing to take his first win in UAE Team Emirates colours which 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 relegated 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.”

Patrick Bevin (CCC Team) continues to lead overall by 7″ ahead of Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) with Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) in third at 16″. The last stage on Sunday finishes 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″

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