The fourth stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour ended in a mass sprint so close that it was impossible to determine the winner with the naked eye. The photo finish provided the answer: Olav Kooij was the fastest, with Tim Merlier narrowly beaten. Alex Aranburu will start Sunday’s fifth and final stage as the overall leader.
Starting in Betekom (Begijnendijk) and finishing in Aarschot, the peloton once again faced an engaging stage through the Hageland. Well-known local climbs such as the Schoonhovendreef in Aarschot, the Nopstal in Rillaar, the Blereberg/Optielt in Tielt, the Houwaartseberg in Houwaart and Het Rot in Nieuwrode each had to be tackled four times.
Six riders quickly went on the attack: Jonah Killy, Jarno Bellens, Michiel Coppens, Michiel Van Vliet, Maxence Place and Michael Vanthourenhout. Van Vliet was the first to drop out of the breakaway after a crash, while Vanthourenhout was forced to give up his place at the front on the final ascent of the Schoonhovendreef due to a mechanical issue.
The sprinters’ teams never allowed the breakaway more than three minutes’ advantage. The peloton timed its chase perfectly, catching the last escapees with around five kilometres to go. Despite the repeated climbs and the sweltering heat making it a demanding stage, the spectators in Aarschot were ultimately treated to a bunch sprint.
Olav Kooij surged past Tim Merlier in the final metres to take victory in a millimetre sprint. Jasper Philipsen finished third and picked up valuable bonus seconds, moving him into second place overall, just two seconds behind Alex Aranburu, the stage winner in Durbuy on Friday. Jenno Berckmoes is also two seconds behind the Spaniard.
The top 16 riders in the general classification are all within ten seconds of each other, setting up a thrilling finale on Sunday in the last stage from Gingelom to Hoeilaart.
