2026 GP Denain preview - Who will succeed Matthew Brennan in the 'mini Paris-Roubaix'?

Last year, it was Brennan who stood out. The young Brit arrived in form after a strong start to the season, including a podium at the Tour Down Under and wins in smaller French races, but his performance in Denain was on another level.

He did not win from a sprint out of a large group. Instead, he made the decisive move in a select front group and held off some of the strongest riders in the race. At just 19 years old at the time, he showed not only the engine but also the composure to finish it off, beating riders like Florian Vermeersch and Gianni Vermeersch.

Two former winners return this year, with Juan Sebastián Molano, who won in 2023, and Max Walscheid, the 2022 winner, both on the start list.

Key information:

• Date - Thursday, March 19
• Distance - 200.4km
• Start location - Denain
• Finish location - Denain
• Start time - 11:20 CET
• Finish time - 15:45 CET

The overall profile of GP Denain has not changed much in recent years. The defining feature remains the cobbles: 13 sectors, adding up to around 23 kilometres, almost all packed into the final 80 kilometres.

The race runs through the same area as Paris-Roubaix, and that shows. Several sectors are similar in character, giving riders an early feel for what is to come later in the spring, even if they are not exactly the same.

The first part of the race is usually fairly controlled, but that changes quickly once the cobbles start. The sectors follow each other in quick succession, with little time to recover in between. Positioning becomes crucial, and the race tends to open up naturally rather than through one big move.

It is also a race where handling and durability matter as much as power. The repeated efforts over rough roads wear riders down, and the group keeps getting smaller as the race goes on.

In recent years, that has made the finale more selective. A large sprint is still possible, but more often it comes down to a smaller group or a late move.

Lidl–Trek arrives with one of the strongest blocks in the race. With Albert Withen Philipsen, Héctor Álvarez, and Max Walscheid, they have three riders who combine a strong engine with a fast finish. That gives them options in different scenarios, whether it is a hard race or a reduced sprint. If it does come down to a faster finish, Tim Torn Teutenberg adds another card to play.

For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, much will depend on Per Strand Hagenes. After struggling with illness last season, he looks back to a high level, carrying early form from Australia into the spring. His ride at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and his near miss at GP Le Samyn showed that he is ready to compete again. This kind of race suits him well. Alongside him, Axel Zingle offers a different option, with the speed to finish things off if the race stays together longer than expected.

Arnaud De Lie (Lotto–Intermarché) remains difficult to place. His form on the climbs has not been convincing so far this spring, but that does not necessarily rule him out here. Even last year, without his best legs, he was still competitive in Denain. If Tirreno Adriatico has helped him find a better rhythm, he could still play a role.

Jordi Meeus (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) fits this race perfectly. He is not a pure sprinter, but one who can survive a hard race and still finish fast. That makes him a threat from a small group as well. The downside is that his speed is well known, which could make cooperation in a front group difficult. That is where Gianni Vermeersch becomes important. With his experience and ability to anticipate moves, he gives the team another way to approach the race.

At UAE Team Emirates–XRG, the focus will likely be on Antonio Morgado, who has already shown he can handle cobbles and deliver after a tough race. With Nils Politt alongside him, they have both the strength and experience to play an active role in the finale. They can also use the card of Sebastián Molano in case of a sprint.

Among the younger riders, Tibor Del Grosso continues to stand out. He has the profile to already compete in races like this, and with Florian Sénéchal next to him, Alpecin–Premier Tech brings both youth and experience. With Simon Dehairs, they also have a rider for a sprint.

Alec Segaert (Bahrain Victorious) is another rider who could shape the race. He has the power to make a difference on the cobbles and will not hesitate to attack. If he gets clear, his time trial ability makes him difficult to bring back.

A similar profile can be found in Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon CMA CGM), who combines a big engine with the ability to sustain long efforts. His results may not always reflect it, but he has been consistently strong in these races. If it comes down to a sprint, Cees Bol could be their option.

Bastien Tronchon (Groupama–FDJ United) is an interesting outsider. After focusing more on hilly races last year, he now seems to be turning his attention to the cobbled classics, which suits him better. If he has fully recovered from his earlier illness, he could be involved late in the race.

The same applies to Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies), whose condition is a question mark after leaving Paris Nice early. At his best, he has shown he can compete with the strongest in races like this, and he remains a rider to watch if he has recovered well.

Finally, Tomáš Kopecký (Unibet Rose Rockets) returns to a race where he impressed last year, making the decisive group and coming close to a top result. With that experience behind him, he could take another step forward.