Søren Wærenskjold takes third from fast bunch finish in Koolscamp

Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step produced a powerful sprint to defeat Dylan Groenewegen and win the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen in Koolskamp for the second time in two years.

Merlier timed his sprint perfectly in the closing stages of the 180.2-kilometre Belgian race, finding an opening on the far right of the road before accelerating past his rivals with around 100 metres remaining.

Dylan Groenewegen of Unibet Rose Rockets finished second, while Uno-X Mobility’s Søren Wærenskjold completed the podium.

The victory marked Merlier’s 11th win of the season and further strengthened his record at the Belgian race. Groenewegen, meanwhile, recorded his fifth runner-up finish at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen. The Dutch sprinter’s last victory at the event came in 2018.

Merlier Makes His Move in the Final Sprint

With 500 metres remaining, Unibet Rose Rockets positioned three riders at the front to launch their sprint train, moving through the middle of the road.

Merlier, however, spotted an opening on the far right and moved into position. He launched his final acceleration inside the closing 100 metres and managed to hold off Groenewegen’s late charge.

The race was held over 12 laps of a circuit around Koolskamp in West Flanders, with each lap measuring approximately 17 kilometres. The route was largely flat, creating ideal conditions for a bunch sprint.

Last year’s winner Jonathan Milan was absent, leaving former winners Merlier and Groenewegen among the leading contenders. Jasper Philipsen, who won the race in 2023, also returned after missing the event last year.

Breakaway Fails to Stay Away

Seven riders broke clear after around 22 kilometres and quickly established an advantage of approximately two and a half minutes.

The breakaway included Alex Kirsch, Alexys Brunel, Born De Bobbelaere, Victor Vercouillie, Rokas Adomaitis, Guillaume Visser and Gaetan Warnier.

As the race entered its later stages, the gap steadily decreased. De Bobbelaere was the first rider to lose contact, followed by Adomaitis and Brunel.

With around 40 kilometres remaining, only four riders were still ahead, holding an advantage of just 24 seconds. Alpecin-Premier Tech, Groupama, Soudal Quick-Step and Unibet Rose Rockets moved toward the front of the peloton as the sprint teams prepared for the finish.

Crosswinds created additional pressure in the closing kilometres, but Kirsch, Warnier and Vercouillie continued to resist the chasing peloton.

Their effort finally came to an end on the bell lap, when the sprint teams completed the catch and prepared for a traditional bunch finish.

Merlier Claims Another Victory

With four kilometres remaining, Lidl-Trek and Uno-X Mobility moved toward the front as the riders faced a strong headwind.

Unibet Rose Rockets then took control with one kilometre to go, setting up Groenewegen for the sprint.

However, Merlier produced the decisive acceleration, coming around the right side and powering to victory ahead of Groenewegen.

Tim Merlier’s win adds another major sprint victory to his 2025 season, while Groenewegen had to settle for another second-place finish in Koolskamp.