Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen won the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, crossing the finish line first in a mass sprint. The stage was a flat route, which typically favors fast finishers, and Philipsen used his speed to edge out other top sprinters in a chaotic dash to the line. The Tour de France, the world's most famous cycling race, covers about 3,500 kilometers over three weeks. Each day is a separate stage, and stage 17 was expected to end in a bunch sprint, where riders stay together until the final meters. Philipsen's team helped position him well in the final kilometers, allowing him to launch his sprint at the right moment. The win is a highlight for the 26-year-old rider, who has been competitive in previous stages. Other contenders for the general classification finished safely in the pack, as no major time gaps were expected on this flat stage. The race continues with more challenging mountain stages ahead, where the overall leader will be decided. Philipsen's victory adds to the excitement of this year's Tour, which has seen multiple close finishes.