Meeus wins Le Samyn on a bitter day for Visma: a flat tire takes Van Aert out of contention

Jordi Meeus (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) has claimed victory at Le Samyn 2026 with an uncontestable sprint on the streets of Dour, culminating a day marked by the battle between the peloton and the long breakaway of Per Strand Hagenes (Visma | Lease a Bike). The Norwegian came close to a remarkable feat with a sustained offensive for about 30 kilometers, but was neutralized just 500 meters from the finish. Van Aert had a difficult day marked by two bike changes during the race.

Jordi Meeus finishes Le Samyn with a sprint after Hagenes' "almost"; a flat tire takes Van Aert out of contention

Wout van Aert made his debut at Le Samyn this season after a gastroenteritis that caused him to miss the Opening Weekend, but it was not the dream start. The Belgian had been active protecting the chances of his teammate in the breakaway, but a flat tire 10 km from the finish completely sidelined him from the resolution.

This year's edition once again captured the essence of Samyn with a high pace, nerves, and constant splits on a final circuit with several cobbled sections, with the Rue de Belle Vue/Rue de Bellevue as a key point before facing the final straight in Dour.

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After a relatively controlled first part, the race heated up in the final stretch with a selection that opened a gap and where Visma placed Hagenes as a launchpad. The Norwegian ultimately decided to go all in with a dry attack on the cobbles, leaving the situation as a "one against all." Behind, the chasing group struggled to find continuity, and there Visma's tactical reading came into play, with Van Aert and company reacting to counterattacks without giving away any meters.

Hagenes held on with a minimal lead for kilometers, but in the final stretch, the chase intensified, driven by teams with a clear sprint option. On the last pass over the cobbles, Gianni Vermeersch toughened the chase with Meeus well positioned, and the peloton ultimately swallowed the attacker just within the last kilometer.

With Hagenes neutralized, Meeus found the gap after the chicane, and when he launched, no one could catch him: a clear victory and a demonstration of pure power.

For Van Aert, Le Samyn left bittersweet feelings. He was in the front zone, working to support his teammate's movement and waiting for a possible reduced sprint, but the flat tire at 10 km forced him to change bikes and chase alone, with no real options to return to a fast-paced race.

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Top 10 Le Samyn 2026

1. Jordi Meeus
2. Laurenz Rex
3. Hugo Hofstetter
4. Jenthe Biermans
5. Lukáš Kubiš
6. Matys Grisel
7. Matevž Govekar
8. Florian Sénéchal
9. Florian Dauphin
10. Steffen De Schuyteneer