Middelkerke, Belgium – Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck claimed victory in the 78th edition of In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem on Sunday, March 29, 2026, after a thrilling sprint finish. The race, traditionally known as Gent-Wevelgem, saw a late catch of a powerful breakaway featuring Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, setting the stage for a tense finale.
This year’s edition marked a change for the classic race, with the start relocated from Ypres to the coastal town of Middelkerke. The 240.8km route featured challenging sections along the coast, susceptible to strong winds, three stretches of cobblestones commemorating World War I, and a punishing triple ascent of the iconic Kemmelberg.
Defending champion Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was a late withdrawal, elevating Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) to the role of clear favorite. Wout van Aert (Visma) similarly posed a significant threat, having skipped the E3 Saxo Classic to conserve energy for this crucial race. Representing Slovakia, Lukáš Kubiš (Unibet Rose Rockets) aimed to continue his strong spring form.
An early breakaway of eight riders formed, whittled down to seven after the first passage of the Kemmelberg, consisting of Dries de Bondt (Jayco), Frits Biesterbos (Picnic-PostNL), Julius Johansen (UAE), Camille Charret (Cofidis), Victor Vercouillie (Flanders Baloise), Hartthijs de Vries, and Wessel Mouris (both Unibet).
The peloton fractured on the first ascent of the Kemmelberg, leaving Lukáš Kubiš in the second group, hoping to rejoin the front. A mechanical issue hampered Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep), causing him to fall behind. Kubiš’s group trailed by 14 seconds but managed to close the gap before the next hilly section.
The second passage of the Kemmelberg saw Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Florian Vermeersch (UAE) bridge up to the front, creating a formidable leading trio. As the peloton appeared to reel them in, a tactical pause among riders from Ineos and Decathlon allowed the breakaway to extend their advantage to approximately 30 seconds.
The final ascent of the Kemmelberg proved decisive. Van der Poel launched a powerful attack, with only Van Aert able to respond. Vermeersch trailed approximately 10 seconds behind, while the rest of the peloton was around a minute back with just over 30 kilometers remaining.
The peloton organized a determined chase, led by Decathlon and RedBull, steadily closing the gap on the leaders. The leading duo battled the wind, but as their energy waned, attacks began from behind. Alec Segaert (Bahrain-Victorious), in excellent form, bridged across to the front.
The peloton closed to within touching distance, with Segaert launching a final attack before the sprint. Jasper Philipsen proved the fastest, taking the victory. Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon) finished second, and Christophe Laporte (Visma) completed the podium.
Lukáš Kubiš finished in the second group, placing 72nd with a time of 5 hours, 31 minutes, a deficit of 5 minutes and 31 seconds.
| Video záveru pretekov |
 Vyjadrenie Jasper Philipsen (víťaz) |
| “Je to víťazstvo, ktoré si určite budem pamätať, pretože som tieto preteky chcel veľmi vyhrať. Dobre sme tu fungovali ako tím, začlenili sa aj mladší kolegovia. Nikdy som tu vo finále nemal také dobré nohy ako dnes.” |
| 72. |  |
KUBIŠ Lukáš | Unibet Rose Rockets | 05:31 |
In Flanders Fields continues to be a pivotal race in the Spring Classics, and this year’s edition delivered on its reputation for drama and excitement. The race, steeped in history and paying tribute to the victims of World War I, provided a compelling spectacle for cycling fans worldwide.
The next challenge for many of these riders will be the Tour of Flanders, scheduled for next Sunday, as the Spring Classics season continues to unfold. The peloton will undoubtedly analyze the tactics and performances from In Flanders Fields as they prepare for the next grueling test.
What did you suppose of Philipsen’s victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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