Binche–Chimay–Binche 2026: Meeus leads the favourites, Dekker the main threat

Binche–Chimay–Binche / Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke 2026 On Tuesday 6 October 2026 the Belgian procontinental calendar hosts the Binche–Chimay–Binche / Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke, a race held on Belgian soil and named in memory of one of the most talented and discussed riders of Flemish and Walloon cycling. The expected protagonists The verified startlist includes seven notable names, spread across WorldTour and continental teams: Jordi Meeus (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) Niklas Behrens (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) Mathias Sunekær Norsgaard (Lidl - Trek) Tom Van Asbroeck (NSN Cycling Team) Hugo Scala (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) David Dekker (BEAT CC p/b Saxo) Lucas Jacques (Color Code - Alu Center) The protagonists' season The standout name is Jordi Meeus. The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider has built a high-level 2026: 2nd on stage 17 of the Vuelta a España, 4th on stage 16, 3rd on stages 11 and 8 and 3rd at the Gooikse Pijl p/b Lotto. These are placings in individual stages and semi-classics, confirming his speed and his ability to hold on short climbs. David Dekker (BEAT CC p/b Saxo) is the other name with a significant record: 3rd on stage 5 of the ZLM Tour, 4th on stage 2 and 9th on stage 4 of the same stage race, plus a 4th at the Ronde van de Achterhoek and a 10th at the Arno Wallaard Memorial. Among the other entrants, Niklas Behrens (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) has a 6th place on stage 3 of the ZLM Tour, while Lucas Jacques (Color Code - Alu Center) took a 9th place at the Tour of Mersin. Hugo Scala (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) has shown himself with a 16th at the Ronde van Limburg and an 18th at the Scheldeprijs. For Mathias Sunekær Norsgaard (Lidl - Trek) and Tom Van Asbroeck (NSN Cycling Team) no placings appear in the consulted database. The race is named after Frank Vandenbroucke, one of the most talented Belgian riders of his generation — source: OFFICIAL RACE DATA (race title). The favourites Jordi Meeus is the number one favourite. His consistent Vuelta placings — two second places and two third places on stages — and his podium at the Gooikse Pijl put him clearly above the other entrants in terms of seasonal record. On a reduced bunch sprint finish, his combination of resilience on the côtes and fast finishing is the main reference. David Dekker is the most credible alternative: his results in the semi-classics and in the ZLM Tour stages mark him as the most dangerous man in a reduced sprint. His team will have to control attacks on the final climbs to put him in the best position. Behind the two, Niklas Behrens is the possible surprise, strong from his 6th place in a ZLM Tour stage, while Hugo Scala and Lucas Jacques start with more modest ambitions, but with placings that show decent form. The available data is limited to seven entrants and a partial record: the preview is based exclusively on the verified results.