Results Bredene Koksijde Classic 2026 | Dylan Groenewegen rolls back the years with powerful long-range sprint win for Unibet ROSE Rockets
Cycling
Dylan Groenewegen delivered a commanding performance to win the Bredene Koksijde Classic 2026, launching a long-range sprint to secure victory after the final breakaway was reeled in late on the streets of Koksijde.
The Dutchman timed his effort perfectly in a fast, flat finale, opening his sprint from distance and holding off the challenge behind to cap a day that ultimately played out in favour of the sprinters.
A group of attackers had threatened to upset that script, staying clear deep into the closing kilometres. Henrik Pedersen was the last to resist, attacking from the front group in a final bid for glory, but the peloton never allowed the gap to stretch beyond control.
The catch was completed just before the flamme rouge, setting the stage for a full bunch sprint.
Sprint teams take control after mid-race action fades
Earlier in the race, the climbs of the Baneberg and Kemmelberg had injected some life into proceedings, briefly splitting the peloton and raising the possibility of a more selective outcome. Several riders attempted to force moves in the aftermath, but none were able to establish a decisive advantage.
Those efforts gradually faded as the race reset on the run back towards the coast. The anticipated crosswinds in De Moeren failed to materialise, removing a key opportunity to create further splits and allowing the peloton to regroup.
From there, a coalition of sprint-focused teams took charge. UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Lidl - Trek, Cofidis, Unibet Rose Rockets and Team Picnic PostNL all contributed to the chase, ensuring the breakaway remained within reach and guiding the race towards an increasingly inevitable sprint finish.
In the final kilometre, Groenewegen was well positioned alongside Steffen De Schuyteneer and Edward Theuns as the sprint trains began to fan out. When the moment came, the Unibet Rose Rockets rider committed early and backed his speed, opening up a gap that proved decisive.
Despite late pressure from behind, Groenewegen held firm to take a convincing victory, underlining both his sprinting strength and his team’s control in a race that ultimately rewarded patience and precision.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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