Lotto Omloop van het Houtland 2026: Preview and Favourites

Lotto Omloop van het Houtland 2026: the great Flemish sprint On Wednesday 23 September 2026, the procontinental calendar stops in Belgium for the Lotto Omloop van het Houtland. A one-day race that, as tradition dictates, promises to be a hunting ground for sprinters and Flemish classics specialists. The protagonists expected at the start The entry list is top-level. Soudal Quick-Step fields a complete squad with Tim Merlier, Yves Lampaert, Bert Van Lerberghe and Laurenz Rex. Alpecin-Premier Tech responds with Gerben Thijssen, Jonas Rickaert and Edward Planckaert. Lotto Intermarché races at home with Arnaud De Lie, Milan Menten and Lionel Taminiaux. Other big names include: Ethan Vernon (NSN), Pascal Ackermann (Jayco AlUla), Paul Penhoët and Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ United), Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost). This year's results of the protagonists Looking at the record, Ethan Vernon is one of the most in-form: 3rd at GP de Fourmies, 2nd in a stage of the Arctic Race of Norway and 8th in a stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia. Dylan Groenewegen took 2nd at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and 4th in a stage of the Renewi Tour. Jason Tesson finished 10th at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and won a stage in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Lionel Taminiaux won a stage of the ZLM Tour. Frits Biesterbos stood out with 7th at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and 4th at the Brussels Cycling Classic. Vincenzo Albanese collected placings in a Vuelta stage and a 2nd place in a Tour of Austria stage. Thibaud Gruel won a stage at the Route d'Occitanie. Anders Foldager was 2nd at the Circuit Franco-Belge and 9th at the Brussels Cycling Classic. Jake Stewart finished 3rd in a stage of the Région Pays de la Loire Tour. Laurenz Rex took two 3rd places in Tirreno-Adriatico stages. Jens Verbrugghe was 2nd at the Lotto Famenne Ardenne Classic. Max Kroonen won the Arno Wallaard Memorial. Filippo Agostinacchio won a stage at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali. Timothy Dupont took 2nd in a stage of the Baku-Khankendi. Kamiel Hannes was 2nd in a stage of the Tour de la Guadeloupe. Victor Hannes took two 2nd places in stages of the Tour de la Guadeloupe. Martijn Rasenberg was 2nd in a ZLM Tour stage. Niklas Larsen finished 2nd in a ZLM Tour stage. Maxime Jarnet won the Grand Prix de la ville de Pérenchies. Rait Ärm won a stage of the Dookoła Mazowsza. Johan Meens won two stages at the Tour de la Guadeloupe. Kārlis Klismets was 2nd at the Latvian National Championships. Vainqueur Masengesho took 2nd in a stage of the Tour du Cameroun. Tobias Müller was 2nd at GP de Fourmies and 6th at the Brussels Cycling Classic. Ceriel Desal took 2nd in a stage of the Tour de Bretagne. Jens Verbrugghe finished 4th at the Belgian National Championships in the time trial (U23). The favourites for victory Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) is the reference name for a bunch sprint: his team fields a complete train with Lampaert, Van Lerberghe and Rex. Ethan Vernon (NSN) brings sparkling form and notable placings in recent weeks. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché) races at home and can have his say on this type of course. Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is another pure sprinter with a dedicated train. Pascal Ackermann (Jayco AlUla) completes the list of favourites. Possible surprises include Jason Tesson, Lionel Taminiaux and Frits Biesterbos. Podium prediction: 1. Tim Merlier, 2. Ethan Vernon, 3. Arnaud De Lie. The race is held in Belgium, a land of great classics and passionate fans — source: OFFICIAL RACE DATA (Location: BE).