Philipsen edges Kooij in tight photo finish on Renewi Tour stage 4

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) won stage 4 of the Renewi Tour in Bilzen-Hoeselt, taking a photo finish from Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) after the 187.3km run from Riemst.

Inside the last 20km, the peloton had swept up everything. Netcompany Ineos and Pinarello Q36.5 both sent riders clear inside the final three kilometres, to no success.

Søren Kragh Andersen (Lidl-Trek) made the most dangerous move, accelerating with seven kilometres left and holding a slender advantage over the Letenberg before he was caught with 600 metres to go. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), who had been dropped moments earlier, attacked at 7.9km but could not stay away either.

Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team) opened the sprint with 500 metres left, and Philipsen came past with Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) on his wheel. Kooij launched from further back and drew level on the line, with the result going to the judges before Philipsen was confirmed the winner. Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) took third.

It is Philipsen's second stage win of this Renewi Tour, having also won stage 2, and returns him to the race lead after Jenno Berckmoes took it in Geraardsbergen a day earlier.

Six riders went clear early: Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto Intermarché), Toms Skujiņš (Lidl-Trek), Axel Huens (Groupama-FDJ United), Johan Jacobs, Kamil Małecki (Pinarello Q36.5) and Aivaras Mikutis (Tudor Pro Cycling Team). Their lead reached just over a minute, never enough to threaten the sprinters' teams.

Alpecin-Premier Tech, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Soudal Quick-Step, Lotto Intermarché and Bahrain-Victorious all had riders controlling the chase group behind.

Milesi and Taminiaux were caught with 24km to go, and Huens and Skujiņš followed shortly after, ending the move. 

Lidl-Trek attacked with 18km to go, and Netcompany INEOS took over inside the last 15. Søren Kragh Andersen (Lidl-Trek) was reeled in with 7.7km remaining before going again almost immediately. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché) attacked at 7.9km and was dropped from the bunch a few hundred metres later, along with Robert Stannard (Bahrain-Victorious). Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) accelerated as his team drove the front.

Around 80 riders remained in the peloton. Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana) went at 3.8km, then riders from Pinarello Q36.5 and Netcompany INEOS tried inside the last three. Kragh Andersen was finally caught 600 metres from the line.

Girmay opened up from there with Merlier tracking Philipsen. The Belgian went at the right moment and held on as Kooij came from behind to close the gap, the pair crossing the line together before the judges gave it to Philipsen, with Alessandro Borgo (Bahrain Victorious) third.