The story of the 3 top sprinters and the 4th who walked away with it in the Baloise Belgium Tour

During Tuesday's team presentation in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem ahead of the opening stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour, conversation centered primarily on three sprinters: Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen, and Olav Kooij. The well-known proverb speaks of two dogs fighting over a bone and a third walking away with it, but this time it was a fourth. Biniam Girmay (NSN) stole a march on them all to take the victory.

Along the way, it was Soudal Quick-Step, Alpecin-Premier Tech, and Decathlon CMA CGM who took control of the peloton. When Rune Herregodts (UAE Emirates-XRG) threatened to stay clear in the final kilometres, all eyes were firmly fixed on those three squads. Decathlon CMA CGM folded and deployed several riders onto the front early, a move that may have ultimately left them short-handed on the final straight.

For Kooij, the first sprinting opportunity in the Baloise Belgium Tour represented a primary litmus test against major names like Philipsen and Merlier. The Dutchman was therefore highly motivated for success, having already tasted victory at the Boucles de la Mayenne late last month.

On the long three-kilometre final straight, the riders of Decathlon CMA CGM hit the front relatively early, but they were somewhat swamped heading into the absolute finale. The teammates Kooij had to burn through to reel back Herregodts were perhaps the ones he lacked at that crucial moment. When he attempted to launch his effort along the left side, several fading lead-out riders blocked his path. He ultimately crossed the line in 22nd place, just one position ahead of Philipsen.

Philipsen was also forced to come from relatively far back on behalf of Alpecin-Premier Tech, but initially appeared to have a clear run. However, once lead-out man Jonas Rickaert had made his final effort and swung out to the left, the fast Belgian was unfortunately positioned right on that exact side of his rear wheel.

The team leader was consequently forced to tap his brakes for a moment, while Rickaert could be seen looking left and right to see where his rider was. Philipsen's momentum was completely gone, and when he—much like Kooij—ended up boxed in amid the crowding on the left side, he stopped pedalling.

Of the three top sprinters, Merlier came closest to securing the victory. He was riding alongside Girmay at the exact moment the latter threw his hands in the air, and he would likely have passed him 20 metres later. Naturally, however, that is not how bicycle racing works.

With a good 200 metres remaining until the line, the Belgian was still completely boxed in down the middle. His lead-out man, Bert Van Lerberghe, managed to guide him out with a powerful move along the left side, darting past Philipsen. From there, Merlier had a clear run and was able to make up ground on Girmay, but his final jump came just too late.

In the end, it was Girmay who claimed the spoils. While the other teams failed to execute a seamless lead-out, NSN managed exactly that. It was an impressive feat, given this was Girmay's very first race alongside his designated Tour de France pilot, Jake Stewart. "I want to thank my teammates because they did an amazing job," stated the Eritrean rider.

For Girmay, this marked his first victory since February. "Earlier in the season things were already going well, even though we missed some big opportunities. But now we are doing super well. We were calm, focused, and remained organised in the final kilometres. I am very happy to win here in Belgium; that is always beautiful. I train here quite often too, so I know the area a bit, including the finish. It suited me well because it was slightly uphill."

"As a sprinter, I don't get many opportunities to win a leader's jersey, but a stage race like this suits me well. Friday will be very difficult, as there are many strong guys suited to that terrain," he added, referring to the upcoming stage to Durbuy. "But I feel super good, my form is getting better and better. Our goal was a stage win, and we achieved that."