Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen 2026: Philipsen and Merlier lead the favourites

Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen 2026 On Friday 18 September 2026 the procontinental calendar stops in Belgium for the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen. A one-day race that, as tradition dictates, pits sprinters against northern classics specialists on Flemish roads. The expected protagonists The verified startlist includes eight top riders. The biggest name is Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin - Premier Tech), joined by teammate Jonas Rickaert. Soudal Quick-Step brings Tim Merlier, while Cofidis relies on Milan Fretin. Unibet Rose Rockets fields a double threat with Dylan Groenewegen and Tobias Müller. Completing the picture are Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and David Dekker (BEAT CC p/b Saxo). The favourites' season The build-up of the main contenders is clear. Jasper Philipsen comes from a stellar Renewi Tour: he took first place in two stages (stage 2 and stage 5), finished second in stage 3 and fourth in stage 1. Also at the Renewi Tour, in stage 4, he claimed another stage win. Philipsen collected five top-four finishes in five consecutive stages at the 2026 Renewi Tour — source: rider results history Tim Merlier built his season on three stage wins at the 2026 Tour de France (stages 7, 8 and 12), plus third place in stage 1 and tenth in stage 2 of the Renewi Tour. Merlier won three stages at the 2026 Tour de France, a record that confirms him among the most prolific sprinters of the season — source: rider results history Milan Fretin shone at the TPC en Nouvelle-Aquitaine with two stage victories (stage 1 and stage 4) and a second place in stage 2. His season also includes a sixth place at the ADAC Cyclassics and a ninth place in stage 21 of the 2026 Tour de France. Dylan Groenewegen scored notable placings at the 2026 Giro d'Italia (third in stage 3, fourth in stage 21, sixth in stage 15) and at the Renewi Tour (fourth in stage 4, eighth in stage 1). Tobias Müller comes from a second place at the GP de Fourmies / La Voix du Nord and a sixth place at the Brussels Cycling Classic, results that make him a one-day race specialist. His season also includes a fifth place in stage 5 of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque / Grand Prix des Hauts de France and two tenth places (ZLM Tour stage 5, Lidl Deutschland Tour stage 0). David Dekker has shown speed on nervous courses: third in stage 5 and fourth in stage 2 of the ZLM Tour, ninth in stage 4, fourth at the Ronde van de Achterhoek and tenth at the Arno Wallaard Memorial. Jonas Rickaert has placings in the stages of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkiye (ninth in stage 5, tenth in stage 5, ninth in stage 4 and stage 3). The favourites for victory Based on the data, Jasper Philipsen starts as the top favourite: the combination of fast finish and endurance shown at the Renewi Tour makes him the main reference on a Flemish course. Behind him is Tim Merlier, whose explosiveness is proven by three stage wins at the 2026 Tour de France. Milan Fretin is the third force, thanks to great consistency and two stage wins at the TPC en Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Further back but worth watching are Dylan Groenewegen and Tobias Müller, with David Dekker a possible outsider on a lively finale.