Belgian National Championships never disappoint. Every year they seem to promise an already-written ending, but they consistently overturn every prediction. This time was no exception. To great surprise in Brasschaat, Belgium's new champion is Rune Herregodts, a rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, protagonist of a victory as surprising as it was deserved.

On the eve of the race, the script seemed already written. Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert had already announced their absence: the former to focus exclusively on the Tour de France, the latter still recovering from his elbow injury. Sunday morning also brought the withdrawal of defending champion Tim Wellens, who preferred not to take risks on a flat course just days before the Grande Boucle.

Everything suggested a classic group sprint. The main favorites had names and surnames: Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier, and Jordi Meeus. For many, the only question was the order in which they would take the podium.

The Belgian Championship, however, has always followed its own rules, and as always, what was thought in advance didn't materialize. The race exploded on the long Kempen circuit, when a sudden selection broke up the group. At over fifty kilometers per hour, a group of about sixty riders formed in which, incredibly, many of the main favorites were missing. A miscalculation paid dearly not only by the sprinters, but also by expected riders like Arnaud De Lie and Florian Vermeersch.

In the end, only three remained ahead: Rune Herregodts, Jonas Rickaert, and Fabio Van den Bossche. On paper, Herregodts was the weakest sprinter of the three, but this very awareness pushed him to anticipate his rivals with a decisive and courageous attack.

«On paper I had the weakest sprint of the three and I turned this to my advantage. I took a risk and put some pressure on Fabio Van den Bossche. I felt bad about it, but I had to think of myself. On days like this I know I'm fast enough.»

For the 27-year-old from East Flanders, it was the perfect day. «I still can't believe it. I had the desire to win, in fact it was my greatest desire, but avoiding a sprint seemed impossible. When I lost the main group I thought it was over. Instead I kept pushing alone. It was an enormous effort, but today I had incredible legs.»

A few minutes after the finish line, Herregodts let his emotions take over, immediately embracing his girlfriend.
«This was probably my only chance to become Belgian champion. I didn't want to have regrets and only now am I starting to realize what happened.»

The victory takes on even greater value considering the moment in the career of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider. His contract is indeed expiring and the future is still to be written.

The conquest of the prestigious tricolor jersey could represent the best possible calling card on the market. Wearing the national champion's jersey for a year is an added value that many teams appreciate, especially in Belgium, where the tricolor has a unique appeal.

«I haven't signed with any team yet for next year, but there are negotiations underway with several teams,» Herregodts explained.

After the surprising transfer last season from Intermarché-Wanty to the powerhouse UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the Belgian doesn't hide his appreciation for working alongside champions like Tadej Pogacar. «I like working for riders like Pogacar, but it's nice to prove that I can achieve great results even when I have the opportunity to race for myself.»

The tricolor jersey could now open new prospects for him. Lotto Intermarché already knows his value, but Alpecin-Deceuninck could also represent an interesting destination. More difficult, at least on paper, to imagine a move to Soudal Quick-Step, where the market seems already almost settled.

Herregodts' victory also reopens the debate on the future of Belgian National Championships. The growing importance of the Tour de France leads many big names to skip the race every year to avoid unnecessary risks. A situation that penalizes organizers and the Belgian Federation and makes the so-called "mandatory participation" increasingly relative, often circumvented with reasons related to preparation or physical condition.

Yet, this very unpredictability continues to make the Belgian Championship one of the most fascinating races of the season. A race where favorites can make mistakes, where hierarchies can be overturned, and where a rider looking for a team can find himself, within a few hours, wearing one of the most prestigious jerseys in world cycling.