Hellestraat and Onderbossenaarstraat new climbs in Dwars door Vlaanderen 2026
On Wednesday 1 April, the start of a new edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen will be given in Roeselare and Waregem, respectively for the men and the women. This year, the women’s race is part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour for the first time. After a journey through the Flemish Ardennes, we will find out who will succeed Neilson Powless and Elisa Longo Borghini.
On the Wednesday before the Tour of Flanders, the men will start from Stationsplein in Roeselare for the 80th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen. At 11:55, they will set off on a journey of around 185 km towards Waregem. The first climb the riders will tackle is a newcomer this year: the Hellestraat. Once again, the race can be decided in the Flemish Ardennes, where they will twice conquer Berg Ten Houte, Côte de Trieu, Hotond, and the cobbles of Mariaborrestraat. Also new this edition is the Onderbossenaarstraat, located 77 km from the finish, a flank of the Taaienberg with a long run-out. Via Eikenberg, Doorn, and Huisepontweg, the route then heads towards the double loop featuring Nokereberg and Herlegemstraat.
Course
The women will start their Dwars door Vlaanderen at 14:10 from the HippoLoggia site in Waregem, where a full-fledged fan zone will once again be set up. A 129 km course awaits them, featuring 6 cobbled sectors and 8 climbs, with the Hellestraat as the only newcomer. For the women’s peloton, Berg Ten Houte, Côte de Trieu, Hotond, and Mariaborrestraat appear once on the programme. The finale, with two ascents of Nokereberg and twice the cobbles of Herlegemstraat, is identical to that of the men.
The winners of both races will once again be able to celebrate their victory on the Verbindingsweg in Waregem. The men’s finish is scheduled for around 16:05. At 17:25, we will find out who wins the women’s race.
Teams
In the men’s race, the UCI WorldTeams are joined by 7 UCI ProTeams. In addition to Cofidis, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, and Tudor Pro Cycling Team, who received automatic invitations, Burgos-Burpellet-BH, TotalEnergies, Team Flanders – Baloise, and Unibet Rose Rockets will also be on the start line.
On Wednesday 1 April, the UCI Women’s WorldTour peloton will be joined by 5 UCI Women’s ProTeams: Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi, Lotto Intermarché Ladies, Ma Petite Entreprise, Mayenne Monbana My Pie, and VolkerWessels Cycling Team.
