Results Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen 2026 - Tim Merlier surges late to deny Groenewegen big win in stacked sprinter's field
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 16:59
Tim Merlier has won the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen 2026, capitalising on rival team lead-outs to pounce in the final 100 metres and beat Dylan Groenewegen and Soren Waerenskjold to the line on Friday.
The Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen 2026 took in 12 laps of a largely flat 180 kilometres course, taking the bunch over the fields of Flanders. With multiple WorldTour teams at the race, it was set to be a day for the sprinters.
And some of the world's best fast men arrived at the start line, including Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier, Danny van Poppel, Phil Bahaus, Soren Waerenskjold, Pascal Ackermann, Luke Lamperti, Dylan Groenewegen and Sam Bennett among others.
A six-rider breakaway paced for much of the first two thirds of the day as Alex Kirsch, Rokas Adomaitis, Alexys Brunel, Gaeten Warnier, Guillaume Visser and Victor Vercouillie formed the break.
Jasper Philipsen
Crosswinds kick off the final 50 kilometres of racing
Their gap dropped below one minute before crosswinds caused a notable increase in pace within the bunch. The breakaway too fractured as Kirsch, Vercouillie, Warnier and Visser seemed the strongest among the attackers with 35 kilometres to go.
But Alpecin controlled affairs to keep the gap in check, fending off attacks from Dries de Bondt and Johan Jacobs as other teams tested the resolve of Philipsen's squad.
Heading towards the final lap, the breakaway were swept up as the lead-outs formed and the fight for position in the final 15 kilometres intensified. With crosswinds in long sections making it a nerve-wracking finale, riders jostled intensely for positions as a crash at the back of the bunch put arounf five riders down.
Bunch sets up for sprint finish
Red Bull, Lidl-Trek and Alpecin seemed to drive the pace in the final lap, while Tudor also sent riders to the front to deter attacks.
EF Education-EasyPost showed intent in the closing kilometres as they prepared a sprint train, as well as Uno-X Mobility assisting in driving into the final two kilometres.
It all came to a boiling point inside the final kilometre as Unibet Rose Rockets lined up Dylan Groenewegen, but the big sprinters also lied in wait.
And Merlier timed his sprint perfectly as he came around the Dutchman inside the final 150 metres to take a dominant victory - his second win of the race after his 2024 victory.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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