Tim Merlier wins the Lotto Omloop van het Houtland 2026

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) claims the Lotto Omloop van het Houtland 2026, a road race on the international calendar, closing out 04:10:25 of racing ahead of Stanisław Aniołkowski (Cofidis) and Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets), both credited with the winner's same time. The race The race is decided in the sprint, with the group of the best riders arriving compact at the finish line. Merlier, already among the favourites going into the day, finds the right position in the finale and beats his rivals with the power that sets him apart. None of the contenders manages to gain any margin: the gaps remain nil right up to the last metre. Finish order Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) — 04:10:25 Stanisław Aniołkowski (Cofidis) — s.t. Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) — s.t. Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) — s.t. Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto Intermarché) — s.t. Closing For Merlier it is another victory in a classic on the Belgian calendar, with Soudal Quick-Step landing the blow in the finale. Behind the winner, Aniołkowski and Groenewegen complete the podium on the same time, confirming the balance of a race decided only by the sprint.