Anders Foldager has soared to victory at De Brabanste Pijl after a stunning and powerful sprint finish in Overijse.
The Dane timed his run for the finish line to perfection as he raced away from his rivals to take the biggest win of his career.
It was touch-and-go whether or not a strong late breakaway would be able to fend off the peloton in the closing kilometres, but a powerful pull from Swiss champion Mauro Schmid eventually spelled the end for the dangerous group.
With the attackers caught inside the final two kilometres, attentions quickly turned to the sprint finish. Foldager rode smartly and bided his time while others around him moved to shut down a flurry of late attempts to escape.
As the line approached, the 24-year-old launched his devastating sprint, with nobody able to hold his wheel. The victory marks biggest of Foldager’s career and just his second as a pro as the focus now switches to the upcoming Ardennes week.
Anders Foldager:
“I knew that I had the level to do this and it was the perfect race for me, but it is by far my biggest win, so I also surprised myself a little bit. It’s a really punchy, hard race, not too long also, and an uphill finish like this is good for me.
I was maybe a little bit too far back at the bottom of the climb. Mauro Schmid did a perfect run-in, closing down the breakaway and then I had to go really long because it opened up full from the bottom of the climb. As soon as I hit the front, there was nothing to do apart from put the head down and sprint.
It means a lot, like I said, it is by far my biggest victory. It proves both to the team and myself that I have the level to be at the top in these races, like I hoped I could.”
2026 De Brabanste Pijl – Results:
1. Anders Foldager (Team Jayco AlUla) 3:36:30
2. Quinten Hermans ST
3. Benoit Cosnefroy ST
Photos: Sprint Cycling
