Berckmoes in tears after revenge win on home soil, UAE thrilled with new leader Baroncini

For 24-year-old Berckmoes, Saturday marked just his 16th race day of the season, a result of a frustrating year filled with setbacks. But in the Baloise Belgium Tour, he’s finally rediscovered his good legs. Though he had already claimed a stage win in the 2024 Settimana Coppi e Bartali and took victory in the Muur Classic Geraardsbergen, the tears he shed after Saturday’s win made it clear: this was his most meaningful triumph yet.

Fighting back tears, Berckmoes reflected on the tense finale in an interview with HLN. He broke away in a group that included Baroncini, while Marco Frigo (Israel–Premier Tech) looked poised to win after a late attack. But once the Italian was reeled in, Berckmoes proved by far the strongest in the four-man sprint. “This means so much to me. Last season was incredible, my level improved, and I made the move to Lotto, but this year has been tougher,” he said.

The still-young climber, who transferred from Team Flanders to Lotto in 2024, was referring in part to a concussion he suffered after a crash in the Tour of Flanders. "It was a season with a lot of lows, but no one sees those. The lows are often underestimated." So when the sprint among the final four came, he seized his chance. "With 250 meters to go, I couldn’t hold back my nerves any longer. I just went for it and luckily, no one came around me."  

Read more below the photo.

The final day of the Baloise Belgium Tour promises to be a spectacle. Baroncini took the leader’s jersey from Ethan Hayter (Soudal-Quick Step), who now trails the Italian from UAE by just 4 seconds. Berckmoes has climbed into third, 7 seconds behind Baroncini, and Filippo Ganna of INEOS is still in the hunt as well, sitting 10 seconds back. Frigo (11 seconds), Florian Vermeersch (UAE, 16 seconds), and Orluis Aular (Movistar, 18 seconds) are also within striking distance.

At UAE, they’re already proud of Baroncini, who rode the Giro d’Italia in May as a domestique for Isaac Del Toro and now seems to be reaping the rewards. “A big effort earns him the leader’s jersey,” the team cheered. “Filippo did the lion’s share of the work in the breakaway of four to make it to the finish.”