Jasper Philipsen scores second successive Tour de France stage win in chaotic sprint finish

Jasper Philipsen doubled up with victory on stage four of the Tour de France as Mark Cavendish came home in fifth place.

Philipsen made it two wins in as many days as he edged out Caleb Ewan on the line after several riders hit the deck on the Circuit de Nogaro in a chaotic finish to a largely serene stage.

Cavendish, seeking a record-breaking 35th career Tour stage win, came on to the final straight in the top 10 but found himself blocked on the run to the line and could not open up his sprint until it was too late.

Philipsen underlined his status as the sprinter to beat in this Tour as he came from well back, being guided past Cavendish by his lead-out man extraordinaire Mathieu van der Poel to glide to the front of the pack.

Ewan was the faster finisher but could not get past Philipsen as both riders threw their bikes to the line.

Cavendish had tried to jump on Philipsen's wheel when he blew past but found his path blocked by Dylan Groenewegen, unable to find clear road until the chance was gone.

⏪ A chaotic final KM on the Circuit de Nogaro, but that didn't stop Philipsen claiming a 2nd stage win. Relive it now ⏪ Un final chaotique à Nogaro, mais ça n'a pas empêché Philipsen d'aller chercher une seconde victoire. Revivez là ici !#TDF2023 @JasperPhilipsen pic.twitter.com/A8EUD8Q1eG

"It was close in the end so I'm happy they confirmed it quickly," said Philipsen.

"It was really an easy stage, I think everybody wanted to save their legs for the Pyrenees tomorrow and the day after but the final kilometres entering the circuit there were some crashes so I hope everybody is OK and safe.

"It was a hectic final with the turns in the end I lost my team but in the final straight I found Mathieu van der Poel and he did an amazing pull