the belgian Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché – Circus – Wanty) has been the sprint winner in the 21st edition of the Belgian classic Bredene Koksijde disputed through 191.6 km of route. Thijssen (Ghent, 24 years old), was not among the favourites, but he imposed his top speed on the finish line to beat the favorite theorists, such as the German Pascal Ackerman (UAE Emirates) and the Australian sam welsford (DSM). The Colombian Sebastián Molano, winner the day before at the GP Denain, had to settle for seventh place. The Belgian winner ended his second victory of the season with a time of 4:17:41, since he recently won the GP Monseré, and the fifth of his professional record.
A flat test, except for three small heights in the middle of the route, with a double pass through the Kemmelberg and the Rodeberg, where four riders escaped: Goeman, Joseph, Kopecky and De Jongwho came to have a 4.30-minute advantage, but with little hope of success, since the peloton always kept them at bay.
At 41 km from the finish line, the escape ended and since then any attempt to escape has been sterile. The UAE wanted to repeat with Molano, and Soudal wanted to elevate Merlier, but the Belgian lost all option with a fall that eliminated him. At the moment of truth, in a disorderly sprint, it seemed that Ackermann was going to take the glory, but Thijssen appeared with a huge force to take the race and deprive the German of repeating the victory he obtained in 2022.