Ineos' Ganna Denies Van Aert in Final Meters of 2026 Dwars door Vlaanderen

The 2026 edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen concluded in heart-wrenching fashion for Wout van Aert, as a late surge by Filippo Ganna snatched victory in the final moments of the race in Waregem.

A Fast and Fractured Beginning

The race ignited immediately upon departure from Roeselare. Intense, back-to-back attacks meant the peloton remained compact for the opening phase, as the field refused to let any breakaway establish a significant lead.

This high-intensity racing took a physical toll. A significant mid-race pile-up forced both Dylan Teuns and Jenno Berckmoes out of the competition—with Berckmoes requiring hospital attention. Even the favorites weren't immune to bad luck; Jasper Philipsen and Van Aert both navigated mechanical setbacks during a chaotic period that left the main group under immense strain.

The Decisive Splits

The tactical landscape shifted as the route hit the climbs of Volkegemberg and Berg Ten Houte. A powerhouse group of roughly 20 riders eventually distanced the field, representing the sport’s heaviest hitters, including:

• Lidl-Trek: Mads Pedersen, Soren Kragh Andersen, and Mathias Vacek.
• Team Visma | Lease a Bike: Christophe Laporte and Matthew Brennan.
• UAE Team Emirates: Florian Vermeersch and Benoit Cosnefroy.

Notably, Van Aert and the Alpecin-Premier Tech roster missed this initial surge. This forced Alpecin, INEOS Grenadiers, and Lotto-Intermarché into a desperate chase that eventually neutralized the breakaway as the race entered the hilly interior.

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Van Aert’s Bold Gambit

On the cobbled Eikenberg, Van Aert took control. He launched a blistering attack, eventually linking up with Romain Gregoire and Larsen to form a dangerous leading trio. Despite a mechanical scare for Filippo Ganna in the pursuit, the gap grew to nearly 40 seconds.

Van Aert remained relentless on the Nokereberg, where his pace proved too much for Gregoire. Soon after, he distanced Larsen as well, committing to a daring solo raid with a significant portion of the race still remaining.

The Final Pursuit

While Van Aert looked strong, the chase behind began to find its rhythm. Soudal-Quick Step and Lidl-Trek organised their efforts, while Ganna and Laurence Pithie fought their way back to the front of the hunting pack.

The Agonising Conclusion

In a repeat of the tactical heartbreak he has faced in previous seasons, Van Aert’s long-range bravery was undone in the final straight. Filippo Ganna, having spearheaded the chase, found an extra gear in the sprint, surging past the Belgian just before the finish line.

For Van Aert, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite being the primary protagonist of the day and enjoying massive support from the local fans, his quest for a Spring Classics title remains unfulfilled as he was caught in the shadow of the finish line.