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Dwars door Vlaanderen

Midweek WorldTour classic across the Flemish Ardennes serving as the final tune-up before the Tour of Flanders.

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Marketing angleinferred

Leverage this elite cycling WorldTour event as a sponsorship and content platform to reach passionate sports fans and European cycling enthusiasts during peak spring racing season.

Relevance 45medium intent
  • Behind-the-scenes coverage of WorldTour teams preparing for Flanders
  • Spotlight on Flemish Ardennes terrain and regional tourism tie-ins
  • Athlete performance analytics and race predictions
  • Sponsor brand integration during live race broadcasts and social coverage

Programme

Dwars door Vlaanderen is a semi-classic road bicycle race in Belgium held annually since 1945, starting in Roeselare and finishing in Waregem, both in West Flanders. The 80th edition took place on 1 April 2026 as the penultimate stop of 'Flemish Holy Week' on the Wednesday before the Tour of Flanders. The race is part of the UCI World Tour calendar. A women's edition, held on the same day starting and finishing at the same location, moved up to the UCI Women's WorldTour in 2026. [ "Men's elite race: 184.6 km over 12 climbs, 7 cobblestone sections; women's elite race: ~129 km over 8 climbs, 6 cobbled sectors in the Flemish Ardennes", "Finish venue transformed into a fan village at Hippologgia site in Waregem with big-screen racing coverage, kids' bicycle races, entertainment, and food/beverage", "Team presentations and rider village experience in both Roeselare (start) and Waregem (finish); free access to KOERS cycling museum on race day", "Two new 2026 climbs added: Hellestraat and Onderbossenaarstraat; repeated sections of Nokereberg and cobbles of Herlegemstraat shape the finale", "UCI WorldTour event attracting elite pro peloton with both men and women competing simultaneously, with women's race elevated to top tier (Women's WorldTour)", "April 1 event draws thousands of spectators along the route, especially on iconic climbs like Knokteberg with multiple passage points for fans" ]

Line-up
Men 2026: Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) winner; Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility)Women 2026: Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), Marlen Reusser (Movistar)

Wednesday 1 April – Men Elite Start

Stationsplein in Roeselare at 11:55; team presentations and riders' village; expected finish around 16:05 on Verbindingsweg in Waregem

Wednesday 1 April – Women Elite Start

HippoLoggia site in Waregem at 14:10; 128.9 km loop; expected finish around 17:25

Waregem – Race Day Experience

Hippologgia fan village with big-screen coverage of both races, children's bicycle races, team presentations, entertainment, catering; free parking on streets; free access to KOERS museum; VIP hospitality options with luxury breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and live music at Expo

Route Highlights – Men

First 80 km flat through West Flanders; climbs begin with new Hellestraat; decisive sections in Flemish Ardennes with Berg Ten Houte, Côte de Trieu, Hotond, Mariaborrestraat cobbles (twice each); new Onderbossenaarstraat at 77 km from finish; final double loop of Nokereberg and Herlegemstraat

Route Highlights – Women

6 cobbled sectors, 8 climbs including Berg Ten Houte, Côte de Trieu, Hotond, Mariaborrestraat, and new Hellestraat; repeated Nokereberg ascents and Herlegemstraat passages in finale