Alex Aranburu claimed victory in the queen stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour in Durbuy. Having already triumphed on the Ardennes slopes in 2024, the Spaniard repeated the feat one year later. Lewis Askey and Carlos Canal completed the podium. Thanks to his stage win, Aranburu also takes over the leader’s jersey from Tim Merlier.
As has often been the case in recent years, the stage in Durbuy delivered plenty of excitement. Attacks flew from the very first kilometres after the start in the “smallest city in the world”. Gianni Marchand, Stijn Appel and Michiel Hillen were the first riders to break away, before Roy Hoogendoorn and Victor Hannes bridged across to form a five-man escape group.
On a demanding, rolling course and under scorching temperatures, the breakaway gradually fell apart. Appel and Marchand proved the most resilient and were later joined by Portuguese rider Rui Oliveira. However, their adventure came to an end as the peloton reeled them in at the start of the final of four local laps.
The race then exploded among the favourites. Former Durbuy winners Jenno Berckmoes and Quinten Hermans were the first to launch their attacks. The Belgian duo collected valuable bonus seconds in the Golden Kilometre, while the pace remained relentlessly high behind them.
A select group soon formed, featuring Berckmoes, Hermans, Jasper Philipsen, Dylan van Baarle, Rick Pluimers, Mike Teunissen, Biniam Girmay and Sergio Meris. With four kilometres remaining, Pluimers went all in with a brave solo move. The Dutchman briefly looked capable of pulling off a stunning upset, but his hopes were dashed on the opening slopes of the final climb.
The decisive move came on the steep Mur de Durbuy. Toon Aerts launched the first serious attack, confirming the strong form he had already shown during the Giro d’Italia. The former cyclo-cross star appeared to be on his way to victory, but he was eventually caught in the closing metres.
Aranburu timed his effort perfectly. The Spaniard proved strongest in a long uphill sprint to secure back-to-back victories in Durbuy. Lewis Askey finished second, with Carlos Canal taking third. Aranburu’s win also sees him move into the overall race lead ahead of the decisive final weekend.
