A chaotic early moment at the 2026 Tour of Flanders briefly split the peloton after a railway crossing halted part of the race in Lede. As the bunch approached at speed, the barriers came down mid-passage, allowing only the front section through while the rest of the peloton was forced to stop.
Among those to make it across were Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, while Mathieu van der Poel was caught behind the crossing, leaving the race momentarily divided.
The situation was quickly brought under control in line with race regulations, with the delayed riders allowed to return to the front group to prevent the incident from shaping the race unfairly. However, the breakaway was not neutralised, meaning the 13 riders out front were able to extend their advantage during the disruption.
With the peloton now back together, the race resumes its expected course, but the incident adds an unusual early footnote to a Monument that had already started at a relentless pace. See the train incident for yourself down below!
🚴🇧🇪 | Ongelofelijk, maar waar. Het peloton breekt in twee stukken. Niet door een aanval, niet door de wind en niet door een valpartij, maar door een spoorwegovergang… 🚂😅 #RVV26
Wielrennen 👀 HBO Max pic.twitter.com/CtkfkbcXHl
— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) April 5, 2026