Dwars door Vlaanderen 2026
01.04
Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) won Dwars door Vlaanderen in a dramatic finish, catching Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike), who had been out front solo, just metres from the finish line.
How to watch?
Curious about how to watch the 2026 Dwars door Vlaanderen? Discover it in our complete how-to-watch guide, featuring a full overview of all broadcasters and streaming options.
The route
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2026 follows a familiar structure, though a few adjustments add a fresh dynamic to the race. Starting in Roeselare and finishing in Waregem, the 184.6 kilometre route is expected to remain calm in the opening phase, with flat roads offering little opportunity for early attacks.
The race comes alive after the first passage through Waregem and the move towards Oudenaarde, where the decisive cobbled climbs begin. Two new additions, the Hellestraat and the Onderbossenaarstraat, introduce extra challenges before the race enters the Flemish Ardennes.
The Kanarieberg has been removed for safety reasons following previous crashes, reflecting a broader shift towards risk reduction in modern racing. From Markedal onwards, the intensity increases with repeated climbs and cobbled sectors, including Berg Ten Houte, Côte de Trieu and the Mariaborrestraat.
The final phase features multiple ascents of Nokereberg and several cobbled sections before a slightly downhill run to the finish in Waregem.
Read more about the route in our preview.
Favourites
Visma | Lease a Bike line up with one of the strongest teams in the race, led by Wout van Aert, whose performance at Gent-Wevelgem suggested his form is building at the right time despite missing out on the result. Christophe Laporte adds consistency, while Per Strand Hagenes and Matthew Brennan give the team multiple tactical options, from long range moves to a reduced sprint.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG also bring depth, with Florian Vermeersch emerging as one of the most powerful riders of the spring. António Morgado and Nils Politt offer further strength, particularly on the cobbles. Alpecin arrive without Mathieu van der Poel but still carry threats through Jasper Philipsen, fresh from victory, alongside Tibor Del Grosso and Florian Sénéchal.
For Lidl-Trek, Mads Pedersen remains a key figure despite recent illness, supported by Jonathan Milan and the versatile Mathias Vacek. Ineos rely on Filippo Ganna’s engine, with Magnus Sheffield another contender.
Riders such as Tobias Lund Andresen and Alec Segaert continue to impress, while a selective race profile means a sprint finish remains unlikely unless conditions align perfectly.
Full preview via this link and explore the start list here.
