Belgium’s Bert De Waele won the fourth stage of the Tour of Belgium in a sprint finish here Saturday, finishing ahead of compatriot Greg van Avermaet and Dutchman Lars Boom, the new overall leader.
Boom took the black leader’s jersey from Slovenian rider Borut Bozic, who couldn’t keep pace with the leading pack over the race’s many picturesque peaks in south-east Belgium.
“It was the most beautiful stage of the tour,” said De Waele. “The hilly course suited me well. I went over the course beforehand, I didn’t steal this victory.”
The race’s fifth and final stage on Sunday is a 17km individual time-trial, with Belgium’s Nicolas Cornu, currently fourth in the general classification, likely to provide Boom with his most serious challenge for overall victory.