241 kilometres had to be completed. The last time there was a bunch sprint was in 2019. Solo winners like Mads Pedersen (Lidl - Trek), who had to forgo a title defence due to illness, or small groups were the order of the day. And it almost ended the same way again this time. Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) were only caught one kilometre before the finish, after they had left a leading group on the final ascent of the Kemmelberg.
While van der Poel was lucky that his pursuers were at odds with each other in the E3 prize on Friday, the teams in the lead did not make the same mistake this time. In addition, the Dutchman also had a trump card up his sleeve in Philipsen, which ultimately paid off. "I chased after my 60th victory for a long time. And this is the classic that I've wanted to win for many years. But I never had the legs to do it. Today everything finally came together and I was able to take the win," said a delighted Philipsen, who secured the first Belgian victory since van Aert in 2021.
Philipsen plays poker, technology goes on strike at Meeus
"With Mathieu at the front, it was the ideal situation for us as a team. But a few kilometres before the final, he told us that he didn't have the best legs. I knew from the past that it was a long finale in which I had to arrive with good legs. That's why I gambled a little." It paid off for the 28-year-old.
The best German was John Degenkolb (Team Picnic PostNL), who crossed the finish line in 14th place. Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) was also part of the first large field to cross the finish line. However, the German pros were hardly able to make a mark. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe were also unable to do so, although the technical problems were a major factor here. In the sprint final, Jordi Meeus' chain jammed, which meant that he was unable to take part in the sprint.
Middelkerke-Wevelgem 2026 - Results
In Flanders Fields - From Middelkerke to Wevelgem: Middelkerke - Wevelgem
In Flanders Fields - From Middelkerke to Wevelgem 2026: In Flanders Fields - From Middelkerke to Wevelgem, Middelkerke - Wevelgem
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpecin-Premier Tech | 05:08:03 |
| 2 | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | +00:00:00 |
| 3 | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +00:00:00 |
| 4 | Lotto Intermarché | +00:00:00 |
| 5 | Team Jayco AlUla | +00:00:00 |
| 6 | Tudor Pro Cycling Team | +00:00:00 |
How Middelkerke-Wevelgem 2026 went
Shortly after the start, the first group of four broke away from the peloton. Another quartet followed shortly afterwards and caught up with the leaders after around 20 kilometres. The breakaway group of eight riders led by Julius Johansen (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Dries De Bondt (Team Jayco AlUla) built up a lead of over five minutes in the early stages.
Meanwhile, there were crashes in the peloton. Max Kanter (XDS Astana Team) and Laurenz Rex (Soudal Quick-Step) abandoned the race. After more than 120 kilometres, the race entered the hills. The escapees had a two-minute lead and were now being chased by a peloton split in two, which had broken up in the wind. The first group comprised around 40 to 50 riders, followed by a second group around 30 seconds behind.
On the first crossing of the Kemmelberg, the newly reunited peloton was decimated again. When it then turned onto the gravel sectors around 75 kilometres before the finish, it broke up into several groups. The leading group only had a minimal lead, but the pace was reduced again at the back, leaving a gap.
Van der Poel and van Aert do not make it through
Then it was back over the Kemmelberg. There van Aert and van der Poel showed themselves. Van Aert increased the pace significantly, bringing van der Poel and Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) into the leading group, which regrouped. Despite Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and Decathlon CMA CGM chasing in the peloton, they were initially unable to catch up.
Johansen had to let go before the Baneberg. On the third Kemmelberg, van der Poel finally launched an attack and was able to distance almost all of his rivals. Only van Aert was able to follow. Behind him, Vermeersch took up the chase alone. There were still 35 kilometres to go to Wevelgem. The remaining breakaway riders were caught by the peloton around 20 kilometres before the finish.
On the flat final kilometres, the peloton got closer and closer to the two leaders. Vermeersch was also caught with twelve kilometres to go, while van Aert and van der Poel defended a lead of around 25 seconds. Five kilometres from the finish, Alec Segaert (Bahrain Victorious) launched an attack and caught up with the leaders, but was then unable to gain any more ground.
Shortly before the finish line, the trio was placed. Segaert tried again, but was unsuccessful. Decathlon opened the sprint for Lund Andresen. But in the end, Philipsen found a gap on the left-hand side of the road and passed the Dane.
