Ename Samyn Classic: Jordi Meeus sprints to victory as late attacker Per Strand Hagenes caught in final kilometre

Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) claimed a hard-fought victory at the Ename Samyn Classic, out-sprinting his rivals after a dramatic final kilometre. The Belgian rider capitalised on the capture of late attacker Per Strand Hagenes (Visma | Lease a Bike), who had launched a solo move but was reeled in with just 500 metres remaining. This marks a significant early-season win for Meeus, adding a semi-classic to his palmarès.

This victory is particularly noteworthy for Meeus, who, despite his impressive sprint capabilities evidenced by a Tour de France stage win last year, has often found himself in the shadow of other fast finishers. For Visma | Lease a Bike, Hagenes's near-miss is a familiar tale of aggressive racing that sometimes falls short, highlighting their willingness to animate races even without their top-tier classics specialists. The Samyn, with its cobbled sections and unpredictable nature, often rewards such audacious moves or the patience of a strong sprint train.

Meeus’s win confirms his status as a legitimate classics contender when the terrain suits, proving that a well-timed sprint can still trump a brave, but ultimately doomed, solo effort.