Dwars door Vlaanderen 2026 produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the Classics season. Filippo Ganna caught Wout van Aert just 100 metres from the finish line in Waregem, overturning a long-range solo attack in the closing moments to claim his first ever Classics victory.
Van Aert Goes All In
The 185km race from Roeselare was contested at full speed from the opening kilometre, with a constant stream of attacks preventing any early breakaway from settling. A mid-race crash saw Dylan Teuns and Jenno Berckmoes abandon, while mechanical issues repeatedly disrupted the peloton — affecting both Van Aert and Jasper Philipsen at crucial moments.
The race finally fractured on the cobbled Eikenberg climb. Van Aert launched a decisive move, bridging across to the leaders and forming a small front group with Romain Grégoire and Larsen. Behind, the peloton struggled to organise a coherent chase as the gap stretched towards 40 seconds.
On the Nokereberg, Van Aert increased the pressure again. Grégoire was dropped, leaving the Belgian alone at the front with just Larsen for company — and then solo as he pushed deeper into the final kilometres with the finish in sight.
Ganna’s Stunning Catch
What followed was extraordinary. Ganna — who had earlier suffered both a broken front wheel and broken handlebars, forcing him to chase back on two separate occasions — powered through the final kilometres alone in pursuit. With 100 metres to go, he caught and passed a stunned Van Aert to win in Waregem.
“I tried everything… I was really dying,” Van Aert said after the finish, having come agonisingly close to a victory that would have meant so much after a difficult start to his season.
For Ganna it was his first career Classics win. “I think it is the most important one, especially here in the university of cycling,” he said. “The team did an amazing job for me today.”
Final Podium
1. Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)
2. Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
3. Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility)
What This Means for Sunday
Three days after being caught a kilometre from the finish at In Flanders Fields, Van Aert was caught again — this time even closer to the line. It was a heartbreaking result for the Belgian but his form is undeniable. He is clearly riding at his very best heading into Sunday’s Tour of Flanders — the race he has never won but wants more than any other.
Pogačar skipped today’s race entirely, saving himself for Sunday. Van der Poel also did not start. The stage is set for one of the most anticipated Tour of Flanders editions in years.