Birkedal secures fourth solo win of the day
The final race of the fourth edition of the Tour of Flanders Youth Day also ended in an impressive solo victory. Danish rider Birkedal broke away stealthily with 2.5 km to go. His teammate Tjumins from Latvia took second place, ahead of Poland’s Jackowiak.
Under sunny skies but with a strong wind, the U19 men started their nearly 125-kilometre race at 4:00 p.m. The course featured several climbs of the Achterberg, Varent, and Wolvenberg, along with cobbled sections on the Holleweg and Karel Martelstraat.
The first two laps were relatively uneventful, with the peloton staying compact. In the third lap, things started to stir. Latvian rider Tjumins (Team Grenke – Auto Eder) launched the first serious attack and was soon joined by Polish rider Jackowiak (Cannibal – Victorious). By the third passage at the finish line, the duo had built a 50-second lead over the peloton.
Team Grenke – Auto Eder, the youth squad of Team Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe, began to assert its dominance during the chase. At the start of the fifth lap, seven more riders bridged to the two leaders, forming a front group of nine. Among them were three Grenke riders: Birkedal, Schoonvelde, and Tjumins. The full group: Greenwell (GMS Cycling Team), Verbeeck (R.EV Cycling), Matyasik (Soudal Quick-Step), Hannes (Acrog-Tormans), Dainty (Fensham Howes–MASDesign–Cams), Jackowiak, and the Grenke trio.
A chase group of nine riders set off from the peloton but entered the final lap with a 1.5-minute deficit—too much to close. The winner would come from the front group. On the Varent climb, Tjumins launched a sneaky attack, only to be reeled back in by none other than his teammate Birkedal. He brought Jackowiak, Greenwell, and Matyasik with him, reducing the lead group from nine to five.
Team Grenke – Auto Eder made their numerical advantage count by attacking relentlessly. Jackowiak was forced to close down gap after gap. Eventually, Birkedal launched one final decisive move with 2.5 km to go. Jackowiak tried to respond but had to concede. Tjumins made another late move 500 metres from the line, sealing a beautiful one-two finish for the Grenke team. Jackowiak had to settle for third place.
