Nokere Koerse 2026 preview, profiles, favourites & predictions - Jasper Philipsen hunts down first win of the season

The Nokere Koerse is one of Belgium's most popular semi-classics and a firm holder of a key position in the spring calendar. Taking place on the 18th of March this year, it provides the classics specialists and sprinters with a golden opportunity to perform in spring classics territory. We take a look at the profile of the race, expected to start and finish at 12:55 and 17:20CET.

The race had its first edition back in 1944, during World War 2, which surprisingly did not put a stop to the race in its first two editions. The legend Marcel Kint was the first winner, and plenty of big local names have won over the decades. Reddy Maertens, Johan Capiot and Jo Planckaert are amongst them; whilst in recent decades it's been a mix of classics specialists and sprinters taking the wins.

More notably, we've seen the likes of Nacer Bouhanni, Fabio Jakobsen, and Tim Merlier win on these roads, making it an attractive option for the sprinters during the spring. Last year Nils Eekhoff won the small peloton sprint ahead of Matteo Moschetti.

The race in Nokere is one that is known for its many cobbled sectors. One of the Belgian semi-classics, its route is meant to prepare for races such as the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix; whilst providing the smaller local teams with their own chances of performing in a race that is somewhat a mix of the two.

The race features no less than 27 cobbled sectors, from start to finish. There are also plenty of small ascents all throughout the day, and sometimes both are combined. Most of the cobbled sectors in the final circuit are very close together and provide plenty opportunities to attack.

The classics specialists might have their way in the race, however a sprint is frequent on these roads. Nevertheless if it does come to one, it's not one perfectly fit for the fast men. Whilst it is not a cobbled sprint up the Nokereberg, the final 800 meters average 4.5% into town and do still make for an explosive finale.

*** Jasper Philipsen
** Jordi Meeus, Alberto Dainese, Lukas Kubis
* Juan Sebastian Molano, Antonio Morgado, Dylan Groenewegen, Pascal Ackermann