GP Lucien Van Impe 2026: Kool and Balsamo the big favorites in Belgium

A Belgian classic at the end of summerOn Thursday, August 20, 2026, the women's calendar features the GP Lucien Van Impe, a ProSeries race held in Belgium. A race that, as per Flemish classic tradition, promises spectacle and battle from the very first kilometers.The distance and elevation gain of the course have not been disclosed, but the technical and selective nature of Belgian roads suggests a tough race, suited to puncheurs-sprinters.The expected protagonistsThere are 143 riders registered, with a high-level field. Among the top names stand out Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech), Elisa Balsamo (Lidl - Trek), Marta Lach and Femke Markus (Team SD Worx - Protime), Lucinda Brand (Lidl - Trek) and Lily Williams (Human Powered Health).Team SD Worx - Protime fields a strong six-rider lineup, including Julia Kopecký, Marie Schreiber and Lisa Van Belle. Fenix-Premier Tech relies on Kool, supported by Julie De Wilde and Mylène De Zoete. Also watch out for Lidl - Trek, which can count on Balsamo, Brand and Anna Henderson.Results this seasonAmong the favorites, Charlotte Kool arrives with an impressive resume: first at the Scheldeprijs Women, seventh at the Paris-Roubaix Femmes, seventh at the Dwars door Vlaanderen Women and seventh at the In Flanders Fields - Wevelgem.Elisa Balsamo has shown great consistency: third at the Italian National Championship, third at the Scheldeprijs Women, second at the Ronde Van Brugge and thirteenth at the Tour of Flanders.Marta Lach won the Festival Elsy Jacobs à Garnich, was second at the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies and third at the Dwars door de Westhoek. Femke Markus won the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies, with a sixth place at the Dwars door de Westhoek and a ninth at the In Flanders Fields - Wevelgem.Among possible surprises, Lonneke Uneken (VolkerWessels Cycling Team) has collected notable placings: second at the Dwars door Wingene, third at the Argenta Classic and second at the Dwars door de Westhoek. Kathrin Schweinberger (Human Powered Health) is fourth at the Dwars door de Westhoek and tenth at the Scheldeprijs.Favorites for victoryBased on the data, the number one favorite is Charlotte Kool: her ability to win in high-level Belgian races makes her the reference sprinter. Behind her, Elisa Balsamo boasts experience and consistency in classics, while Marta Lach has shown she can win one-day races. Femke Markus and Lonneke Uneken complete the picture of the main contenders.SD Worx-Protime's numerical superiority could translate into a mid-race forcing to select the group, while Fenix-Premier Tech and Lidl-Trek will try to control the race for their finishers. The presence of many Belgian race specialists suggests a hard-fought race, with possible breakaway attempts and a likely reduced sprint finish.The GP Lucien Van Impe is named after the famous Belgian cyclist Lucien Van Impe, winner of the 1976 Tour de France — source: OFFICIAL RACE DATA