Results Renewi Tour 2026 Stage 4 - Jasper Philipsen beats Olav Kooij in photo finish to seize back overall lead
CyclingSaturday, 22 August 2026 at 15:51
Jasper Philipsen won Stage 4 of the 2026 Renewi Tour in a dramatic photo finish against Olav Kooij, reclaiming the overall lead after Soren Kragh Andersen was caught inside the final kilometre in Bilzen.
The Alpecin-Premier Tech sprinter and Kooij lunged for the line together after 187.3 kilometres from Riemst, with Philipsen confirmed as the winner following a photo finish. The victory, his second of the race, lifted him above Jenno Berckmoes in the general classification ahead of Sunday’s final stage.
Kragh Andersen caught 600 metres from the finish
Kragh Andersen had attacked following the Green Kilometre and opened a 17-second advantage, forcing Netcompany INEOS to begin the chase. The Lidl-Trek rider was almost caught on the Letenberg but accelerated again and carried a 12-second lead into the final two kilometres. With several sprint teams hesitating behind, the Dane appeared capable of denying the fast finishers their opportunity.
Unibet Rose Rockets eventually brought the peloton back into position for Dylan Groenewegen, closing the final gap with approximately 600 metres remaining.
Biniam Girmay launched the sprint, while Tim Merlier sat on Philipsen’s wheel and Groenewegen also moved into contention. Philipsen and Kooij then emerged together on the rising finish, throwing their bikes towards the line in a sprint too close to call immediately. The photo finish confirmed Philipsen’s victory in 3:58:41, with Kooij taking second on the same time.
Read also
Lotto Intermarché unable to defend Berckmoes’ lead
Berckmoes had started the penultimate stage six seconds ahead of Philipsen and 12 seconds clear of Kooij after winning Friday’s queen stage in Geraardsbergen. Lotto Intermarché initially protected its leader effectively, with Lionel Taminiaux winning the opening Green Kilometre sprint from the breakaway. Axel Huens and Toms Skujins gained only two seconds apiece, while Aivaras Mikutis won the final intermediate sprint.
Those results prevented Philipsen and Kooij from collecting bonus seconds before the finish, but Lotto Intermarché’s attempt to distance the sprinters on the Letenberg proved unsuccessful.
Arnaud De Lie sacrificed his own chances by accelerating on the climb for Berckmoes, with Florian Vermeersch increasing the pace further. The bunch briefly split, but Philipsen and Kooij returned, while De Lie was distanced after his effort.
Once Kragh Andersen was caught, the stage-winning bonus seconds became decisive. Philipsen’s victory moved him back into the blue-green leader’s jersey before the concluding 184-kilometre stage in Leuven.
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.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Grischa left mid season, coaches left mid sesaon many riders left mid contact all these is nothing to aknowlegdge all these things are a matter of a fact. This TDF Visma was incredible weak too so easy to see and so bad for jonas all tour untill he crashes, im sorry but i doubt you watch much cycling if you cant aknowledge that visma is getting worse alot now. They cant keep up with rbh and lidl like the owner has said so if you cant aknowledge these things im sorry but your not worth talking much to as i dont think you watch that much cycling then hehe. Its just a matter of facts all these things i mentioned im sorry wish you all the bestmiguel22-08-2026
- hopefully they do cause they need something I think we can agree on that that the trend is not in their favour last years. Ballerini is decent my problem hes another sprinter doesnt really help jonas at all. But hopefully they can sign someone really good that would be good but i doubt they have the needs but lets see.miguel22-08-2026
- fingers crossed!Ketterechts22-08-2026
- I have feeling that Tarling may be gifted the stage out of respect for the death of his brother.paultryan200222-08-2026
- Still trying to be relevantslappers6622-08-2026
- Even when he is trying to be nice he can be insulting. "Before that, he had launched an attack on Montmartre that typified the final years of his career: poorly timed, unconvincing, quickly caught again. You could feel and see it in everything: he's finished." Although they did have some amazing years together. JA and Quick-Step were the best for a short period.mij22-08-2026
- I won’t acknowledge it nor do I see it. They have marquee riders and the epitome of professionally cycling with their best practices. They have vets and WVA and JV and up and coming talent like Matthew Brennan.mij22-08-2026
- they are rumored to be signing Davide Ballerini, another GT stage winner. can’t be that bad.mij22-08-2026
- Too easy 😂😂anonymouscyclist22-08-2026
- The only rider I’ll be watching today is Tarling. He and his family are still in my thoughts, and I know he’ll give it his absolute best for his brother. You have the entirety of the UK (and probably many other countries) behind you right now, Josh, proud no matter what position you cross the line in. #ForFinanonymouscyclist22-08-2026
Loading
Write a comment