Can Van Aert make an instant impact? - 2026 Le Samyn preview

In the 2020's, the race has been won via a sprint in a significantly reduced group with winners including, most recently, Mathieu van der Poel in 2025 with Laurenz Rex (2024), Milan Menten (2023), Matteo Trentin (2022), Tim Merlier (2021) and Hugo Hofstetter (2020) making up the 2020's winners.

Looking back to the 2025 edition, Van der Poel dropped a monstrous sprint to win on the first appearance of the 2025 season, ahead of the young talent Paul Mangier.

Only one former winner is taking the start, and that is Laurenz Rex, who won in 2024.

Key information: 

• Date - Tuesday, March 3
• Distance - 204km
• Start Location - Quaregnon
• Finish Location - Dour
• Start time (CET) - 12:35
• Expected finish (CET) - 17:12

In total, across the 204km route from Quaregnon to Dour, there are 29 cobbled sectors, with the first coming after 21 kilometres completed and the last sector within the last 5 kilometres.

The main feature of the race is the Côte de la Roquette, which is to be completed 6 times. It’s a gentle climb of half a kilometre, but there are cobbles located at the base of it.

Positioning is going to be vital for the contenders, as has been the case with previous editions of the race, with a reduced group sprint expected unless any audacious attackers are able to obtain an advantage over the sprinters.

There are some potential launch pads for attacks dotted throughout the parcours, with one cobble sector to keep an eye on for attacks, the Rue de Belle Vue, which is a part of the local circuit, which the riders will head onto after 21 kilometres completed.

Rue de Belle Vue will also be a key sector in the finale of the race due to its proximity to the finish line in Dour, being within five kilometres of the line.

Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) looks the standout favourite on paper, but he arrives after missing Opening Weekend through illness and after a winter spent recovering from surgery. Even with question marks over his condition, he remains one of, if not the clear favourite for victory. With Christophe Laporte, the Dutch squad had another favourite in its ranks, especially given the form he has shown so far, but he doesn't feel dit enough to start.

Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) heads into the race after a solid Opening Weekend, where the Belgian took two top tens in Omloop and Kuurne with respective 7th and 10th placed finishes. Since turning pro in 2021, Meeus has actually never competed in Le Samyn, and if there is a sprinting situation for the victory, then Meeus is bound to be the strongest for that situation.

Other riders to watch out for in the race include: Lukas Kubis (Unibet Rose Rockets), Hugo Hofstetter (NSN Cycling Team) and Steffen De Schuyteneer (Lotto-Intermarché).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meeus
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kubis, Rex
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hofstetter, Van Aert, Gruel
⭐️⭐️ Govekar, Vermeersch, Biermans, Teuns
⭐️ Segaert, Hagenes, Page, Tesson, Dekker

👀 Biesterbos, De Schuyteneer, Van Kerckhove