The peloton left Heusden-Zolder for 220 kilometers towards Hasselt, where several flat local laps awaited. Kooij, Mick van Dijke, Edoardo Affini and defending champion Christophe Laporte were the four Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders at the start. The championship had a fast opening phase. A nervous peloton gave a few early breakaway riders little room, after which everything came back together.  

Just over 50 kilometers from the finish line, Laporte reacted to an acceleration by shadow favorites Mads Pedersen and Mathieu van der Poel. Together with three others, they formed the leading group. The six didn't get much of an advantage. In the peloton, the Italian selection took control, serving sprinter Jonathan Milan. Among others, an impressive Affini brought the peloton back. The expected bunch sprint awaited.  

In that sprint, Kooij had to launch his acceleration early. The young Dutchman seemed to overtake Merlier, but he ended up a few centimeters from victory. Last year, Kooij finished third at the European Championships. Today he had to settle for the silver medal. Defending champion Laporte finished ninth.  

“Shortly after the finish, disappointment prevails", Kooij reacted afterwards. “We rode a fine race. We were always where we needed to be. Whenever there was an attack, we reacted quickly. Only we prepared the sprint a little different, so unfortunately I was a little too far to start the sprint. I had very good legs, but sadly I fell just short of grabbing the title.”