In Flanders Fields 2026 will be remembered not for the winner but for the riders who almost won it. Jasper Philipsen took the sprint in Wevelgem, but the race belonged to Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert — who launched one of the most spectacular late attacks of the Classics season only to be caught agonisingly close to the finish line.
Van der Poel and Van Aert Go for Glory
For much of the 240.8km from Middelkerke the race followed a familiar pattern, with an eight-rider breakaway building a lead of over five minutes as the peloton rolled through the coastal roads. Crosswinds threatened to split the race on the exposed sections but the peloton came back together each time, setting up a decisive finale.
The repeated accelerations over the narrow cobbled plugstreets and across the hellingen thinned the field steadily. Jasper Stuyven was among the most active attackers, forcing the pace on the narrow sectors, while moves from Christophe Laporte, Gianni Vermeersch and others failed to establish any lasting separation.
The decisive moment came on the steep Ossuaire side of the Kemmelberg. Van der Poel attacked sharply and only Van Aert could follow. The two rivals — so often on opposite sides of a race — found themselves working together at the front, pushing as hard as they could to stay away from the chasing peloton.
Caught Before the Line
For a long stretch it looked like the pair would make it. They had a gap, they were working together, and the finish in Wevelgem was approaching. But the peloton — led by the sprint teams protecting their fast men — refused to let them go. With just over a kilometre to go, the gap closed and the catch was made.
“If we had gone all out I think we could have made it,” Van der Poel said after the race, suggesting the move was partly tactical rather than a full commitment to staying away.
Defending champion Mads Pedersen was absent through illness, losing his chance to take a record-breaking fourth win in this race.
Philipsen Takes the Sprint
With the two attackers back in the group, the race came down to a bunch sprint on the flat run to the line in Wevelgem. Jasper Philipsen — Van der Poel’s Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate — timed his effort perfectly and powered to victory ahead of Tobias Lund Andresen and Christophe Laporte.
Final Podium
1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech)
2. Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM)
3. Christophe Laporte (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
What This Means for Tour of Flanders
With Tour of Flanders just one week away, the form picture is becoming clearer. Van der Poel is in brilliant shape — winning E3 Saxo Classic on Friday and going deep again today. Van Aert is back to his best after a difficult start to the season. And Pogačar, who skipped today’s race, arrives fresh having already won Milan-San Remo this spring.
Sunday 5 April is shaping up to be one of the great Tour of Flanders editions.