Philipsen secures first Tour of Belgium title with final-stage victory
Jasper Philipsen has won the Baloise Belgium Tour after claiming victory in the fifth and final stage. After riding 183.6km from Gingelom to Hoeilaart, he outpaced compatriot Jenno Berckmoes and the German Max Kanter in a bunch sprint.
In the general classification, Philipsen beat Berckmoes by 5 seconds and Spaniard Alex Aranburu by 9 seconds. Fellow Belgian Quinten Hermans finished fifth, 15 seconds behind Philipsen, who also topped the points classification. This is Philipsen’s first overall victory in a stage race.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had to dig so deep. That heat is absolutely gruelling, especially on this tricky course. It was a real struggle,” Philipsen said after the race. “It’s brilliant to win a stage race – my first ever. And to do so in my own country, too. I’m heading into the Belgian Championships and, soon, the Tour de France feeling confident.”
After 13km of racing, a breakaway group formed comprising Zeno Moonen, Kay De Bruyckere, Alexys Brunel, Stijn Appel, Roan Konings, Jocelyn Baguelin and Victor Hannes. None posed a threat to leader Aranburu, who started the final stage with a lead of just 2 seconds over Philipsen and Berckmoes.
The cobbled climb up Mommaertsstraat proved too much for Moonen. As they entered the final lap, the other riders also found themselves unable to keep up.
In the golden kilometre, where riders can gain time bonuses, Philipsen snatched 4 bonus seconds. Berckmoes and Aranburu had to settle for 3 seconds. Jonas Abrahamsen and Alessandro Romele broke away from what remained of the peloton shortly afterwards. Florian Vermeersch then tried his luck, but he too was unable to open a gap.
"It’s brilliant to win a stage race – my first ever. And to do so in my own country, too"
The race remained chaotic, with another attempt by Milan Lanhove in the final 7km and one by Abrahamsen in the final 3km. The Norwegian was caught 450m from the finish line, as Philipsen proved to be the fastest of the group. He succeeds Italy’s Filippo Baroncini as the overall winner of the competition.
The 2026 Tour of Belgium was the 95th edition of the road race, which began on 17 June in Scherpenheuvel, Flemish Brabant, and took in Knokke on the coast and Durbuy in Wallonia. It is part of the 2026 UCI ProSeries.
Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates after winning stage 5 of the Baloise Belgium Tour and securing the overall title, 21 June 2026 © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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