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![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LTTuxdtcpQFiKYge8AYwDd.jpg\")
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(Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T15:41:27.270Z<\/p>\n Here’s what Reusser had to say after the finish:<\/p>\n “I’m surprised. I didn’t expect it like this, so I’m so happy.”<\/p>\n “In the beginning of the race, I felt like I really had trouble positioning, but I kept being confident also to help the whole team because I think we have a super strong team. It felt so good to know that in the group behind you have Lianne and Cat: [both] so fast. If we don’t make it, we still probably can make it with them, which is just uplifting, super nice. And then you really go for it.”<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T15:34:21.170Z<\/p>\n It all came down to a marvellous battle between two of the world’s best.<\/p>\n There were questions over Reusser’s form after her crash in the UAE in which she suffered deep cuts to her hands and knee. She took her time returning and is clearly fresh and in great form ahead of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, which will be her big spring targets before a tilt at La Vuelta Feminina in May.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T15:31:27.267Z<\/p>\n A few seconds behind, Zoe Backstedt won the sprint from the chase group to take fourth.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:31:04.572Z<\/p>\n Vollering and Reusser were so entranced with each other that they were almost mugged by Nooijen. It was an incredible move out of the bunch.<\/p>\n In the end, it was Reusser who was fastest in the final 200 metres, edging Vollering on the line by a wheel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:28:46.819Z<\/p>\n Vollering in second, with an opportunistic Nooijen taking a brilliant third place.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:28:11.568Z Reusser takes the win in the final sprint.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:27:54.150Z<\/p>\n Nooijen leads out the sprint, but Reusser and Vollering come back at the youngster.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:27:28.120Z<\/p>\n Reusser refusing to come through now and the leaders have slowed. Nooijen has attacked and joined the leaders.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:26:59.917Z Reusser leads them through the flamme rouge and then Vollering takes the front.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:26:09.818Z<\/p>\n The gap dips below 20 seconds, but it’s surely too late now.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:25:10.800Z 22 seconds is the lead for Vollering and Reusser.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:24:33.216Z<\/p>\n Vollering will be confident in her sprint here. What can Reusser do in the finale?<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:24:01.980Z Pieterse, Bredewold and Le Court driving things now, but the gap stays above 20 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:22:53.013Z Le Court joins the chase in support of Borghesi, but the pursuit is just not strong enough right now.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:21:56.281Z<\/p>\n It’s looking good for the two leaders now. They have a lead of 22 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:21:19.534Z Pieterse is chasing. Charlotte Kool is in the group so there is a lot to gain for Fenix-Premier Tech if they can bring this back.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:20:17.598Z The final cobbles of the day. 16 seconds is the lead.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:19:44.936Z<\/p>\n Bredewold attacks with Nooijen on the wheel, but she then stops. Pieterse takes over, but the gap is increasing.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:18:45.080Z<\/p>\n Their lead is slender, but Reusser and Vollering continue with a sense of control.<\/p>\n The chase stalls as Koch comes to the front to interfere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:17:47.464Z<\/p>\n Vollering and Reusser lift it again just as a rider swings off the chase. The lead is increasing again.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:17:07.950Z<\/p>\n A big turn on the front of the bunch and the gap is down to 5 seconds now. The group has Vollering and Reusser in their sights, but can they finish the job?<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:15:39.980Z<\/p>\n Persico is definitely finished now. She almost comes to a complete stop. So does Gasparrini.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:14:51.716Z The gap is back down to 13 seconds now.<\/p>\n More conversations, negotiations, going on between Vollering and Reusser.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:13:36.001Z<\/p>\n Persico is back working on the front again to support Longo Borghini in the chase.<\/p>\n SD Worx-ProTime have now committed Julia Kopecky to the chase in support of her namesake Lotte Kopecky.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:12:03.316Z<\/p>\n Vollering and Reusser are working well together now. Their lead is up to 20 seconds.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:11:01.572Z<\/p>\n UAE Team ADQ still have four riders in the group, so plenty of firepower still to use.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:10:22.171Z<\/p>\n It’s a Longo Borghini individual time-trial on the front of the chasing group at the moment. With Reusser and Vollering working together again, the gap is stabilising at 14 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:08:04.052Z Gap down to 9 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:07:49.907Z<\/p>\n The peloton is heading back into Waregem now and will then head back to the Nokereberg for one final climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:07:05.302Z<\/p>\n It appears that UAE Team ADQ are working for Trofeo Alfredo Binda winner Swinkels today. Longo Borghini is riding hard on the front.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:06:00.005Z<\/p>\n Just one final turn from Persico, she has already done a lot today. Gasparrini takes a turn, but then it’s Longo Borghini on the front again.<\/p>\n 11 seconds to the two leaders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:05:12.672Z<\/p>\n Now Persico returns to the front of the group along with Gasparrini.<\/p>\n The gap is coming down now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:04:04.199Z<\/p>\n Ferguson and Lippert are playing the perfect team-mate role behind, disrupting the chase.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:03:17.286Z<\/p>\n 18 seconds for the leaders now as Longo Borghini leads the group on the cobbles.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:02:44.718Z Conversations going on now between Vollering and Reusser. They don’t appear to be fully committed.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T15:01:54.391Z<\/p>\n Vollering and Reusser are working well together. There isn’t a co-ordinated chase behind as riders alternate attacks.<\/p>\n Despite UAE Team ADQ’s numbers, Longo Borghini is the one working.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:59:39.167Z<\/p>\n Longo Borghini brings Kopecky back.<\/p>\n Vollering and Reusser have a lead of 15 seconds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:59:10.135Z<\/p>\n Kopecky has been quiet so far, but she attacks on the Nokereberg with Swinkels and Backstedt on the wheel.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:58:41.302Z The group behind has stalled as Vollering and Reusser unite on the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:57:42.856Z<\/p>\n Reusser is not the rider anyone wants to give a big lead to. Vollering is steadily closing her down.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:56:58.160Z<\/p>\n Longo Borghini attacks in pursuit of Reusser, but is covered by Ferguson. The Italian champion continues her chase, before pulling off.<\/p>\n Now Vollering is on the attack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:56:06.591Z<\/p>\n Reusser attacks now ahead of the first passing of the Nokereberg.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:55:30.724Z<\/p>\n Flat tyre for Paternoster. She’s off the back of the bunch now.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:55:04.355Z<\/p>\n Reusser is now working on the front of the group and edges back towards Swinkels. The Swiss may be working for Ferguson in her first race back after injury.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:54:20.109Z<\/p>\n Swinkels has three team-mates in the group with Longo Borghini, Persico and Gasparrini, so this is a good move.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:53:32.669Z<\/p>\n The riders have once again found a gutter to ride in on the right side of the cobbles. Swinkels has a five second lead.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:52:51.660Z Swinkels has made a nice move off the front. Le Court is driving the chase behind. Is the Mauritian champion working for Borghesi today?<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:49:47.878Z<\/p>\n Longo Borghini now lifts the pace with Reusser in her wheel. Vollering not far off the front.<\/p>\n Moors needs a bike change and she loses touch with the front of the race.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:48:21.350Z<\/p>\n Chabbey is tracked by Van Anrooij and the group is stretched out as riders try to find room in the gutter on each side of the cobbles.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:47:29.261Z Elise Chabbey leads on to the cobbles and is putting the pressure on here.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:46:58.897Z Lieke Nooijen now puts in a move for Visma-Lease a Bike, but is covered by Persico.<\/p>\n Things stall again at the front.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:46:14.052Z<\/p>\n The chasing group has lost a bit of momentum and appears to be slipping further back.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:45:47.278Z<\/p>\n A shot of Vollering’s attack on the Eikenberg.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:43:45.131Z<\/p>\n A group led by Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 and Uno-X Mobility is around 15 seconds behind the leaders.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:43:10.102Z<\/p>\n The leaders are approaching Doorn, the next cobbled section.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:42:27.309Z<\/p>\n Attack by Mischa Bredewold. Koch is pulling the group back to the former Dutch champion.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:41:41.550Z<\/p>\n FDJ United-SUEZ and UAE Team ADQ are present in this group in number.<\/p>\n Another, smaller, group is approaching the leaders as things stall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:40:23.531Z<\/p>\n There are around 25 in the front group now, with all the favourites represented.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:40:00.313Z<\/p>\n Silvia Persico appears for UAE Team ADQ and singlehandedly brings the Vollering group back.<\/p>\n Team-mate Karlijn Swinkels makes a move as soon as the leaders are caught, but doesn’t get away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:37:40.978Z<\/p>\n The lead group has a 10 second lead.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:37:21.145Z<\/p>\n Longo Borghini is contributing to the chase, bereft of team-mates. Ferguson is also pulling having dropped off the leaders when Vollering attacked.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:36:18.547Z<\/p>\n That’s the worst of the climb over with now. There are several cobbled sectors left and two ascents of the Nokereberg, which won’t be as selective as the Eikenberg.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:35:24.301Z Vollering, Pieterse, Moors and Borghesi are building a good lead here over the top of the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:34:31.430Z<\/p>\n Vollering is with Koch, and makes a dig over the top of Koch’s move, mirroring what happened at Omloop Nieuwsblad.<\/p>\n Pieterse is on the wheel with Letizia Borghesi and Fleur Moors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:33:33.851Z<\/p>\n The German is causing some real damage here with splits opening up behind. Cat Ferguson is with her. The likes of Le Court and Longo Borghini are further back at the moment.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:32:54.249Z Koch once again leads onto the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:32:17.265Z<\/p>\n The cobbles are done for now. Next up, the Eikenberg.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:28:28.408Z<\/p>\n The breakaway has been caught.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:28:12.438Z<\/p>\n The peloton is really stretched out on this sector. The leaders only have a handful of seconds of an advantage.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:27:20.723Z Onto the longest cobbled sector of the day. Koch leads onto the sector on the front of the bunch.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:26:31.470Z<\/p>\n The peloton is like a washing machine on this wide road, with teams fighting for position ahead of the cobbles.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:25:55.787Z<\/p>\n Ton’s speculative move has been neutralised.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:25:32.688Z<\/p>\n The riders are on a wide highway at the moment, which gives advantage to the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:24:17.424Z<\/p>\n There are several trains leading the peloton now, with SD Worx-ProTime, Lidl-Trek and UAE Team ADQ well represented at the front.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:23:12.496Z<\/p>\n Quinty Ton of Liv-AlUla-Jayco has attacked the peloton and is 13 seconds behind the chasers.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:22:20.996Z<\/p>\n The lead has been slashed in the last few minutes and is down to just 30 seconds now.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:19:16.857Z<\/p>\n FDJ United-SUEZ have been attentive towards the front of the bunch all day.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:17:36.175Z<\/p>\n The leaders are approaching the Mariaborrestraat.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:15:12.478Z<\/p>\n German national champion Franziska Koch of FDJ United-SUEZ is making a move off the front as riders are dropping away off the back of the bunch.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:13:37.463Z<\/p>\n The gap between leaders and bunch remains at 1:40.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:13:18.119Z After this, the riders take a long shallow descent towards the longest cobbled sector of the day, the Mariaborrestraat.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:12:28.994Z The leaders are on the next climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:10:07.762Z<\/p>\n The riders are over the Knokteberg and are heading straight to the next climb: Hotond.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:06:52.802Z<\/p>\n The Knokteberg begins gingerly before ramping up above 10% at the top. Mercifully, it’s not laden with cobbles.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:06:01.282Z Time for the toughest climb of the day, and it kicks off a second half of the race that contains four more climbs and five more cobbled sectors.<\/p>\n The race really begins now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T14:03:41.285Z<\/p>\n Brodie Chapman has been a constant presence on the front of the peloton so far this spring.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:59:04.038Z Still 1:40 for the leaders, but the race is about to hit its most intense section of climbs and cobbles.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:54:27.077Z<\/p>\n There’s 10km to go before the Knokterberg-Trieu.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:53:53.474Z<\/p>\n FDJ United-SUEZ and UAE Team ADQ lead the bunch on the cobbles.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:52:46.295Z<\/p>\n The pace in the peloton is high at the moment. Another 30 seconds have been subtracted from the gap. The leaders now have 1:40.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:51:55.726Z<\/p>\n Lidl-Trek are here with emerging star Fleur Moors today, who impressed with second at In Flanders Fields on Sunday.<\/p>\n Find out more about the 20-year-old Belgian – ‘She’s a real go-getter’ \u2013 Who is Fleur Moors, the rapidly rising star who has challenged Lorena Wiebes twice already this season?<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T13:46:49.784Z The advantage for the leaders is down to 2:10.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:46:12.738Z<\/p>\n Will these long-time rivals come to blows again later today?<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:44:53.455Z<\/p>\n They are over the top of Berg Ten Houte now, with a long flat section to follow before the toughest climb of the race: the Knokteberg-Trieu.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:43:46.635Z<\/p>\n After a long time between the two groups, Bodine Vollering has been caught by the peloton on the Berg Ten Houte.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:42:36.576Z A tough ascent with a cobbled sector. How will the bunch approach this one?<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:39:33.503Z<\/p>\n The pace is up in the bunch now ahead of Berg Ten Houte. The gap to the front has dropped to 2:40.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:39:03.706Z<\/p>\n Not a great day so far for Fenix-Premier Tech. Puck Pieterse has crashed in the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:35:23.423Z<\/p>\n A chunk has been chopped off the advantage of the leaders after the climb. They now have 3:30 over the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:34:48.056Z<\/p>\n Romina Hinojosa of Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 Ladies has abandoned.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:31:27.797Z Cobbles dealt with. The leaders now have 4:20 over the peloton and are working well together.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:30:07.372Z<\/p>\n There is a plateau after this, followed by a descent towards the Berg Ten Houte climb – appetisers for what’s to come.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:29:09.830Z Off the climb, straight onto the day’s first cobbled sector,<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:26:57.727Z<\/p>\n The peloton is 4:15 behind the leaders.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:26:16.724Z The leaders are on the second climb of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:25:06.627Z<\/p>\n The full compliment of seven in the front group:<\/p>\n Catalina Soto Campos \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T13:21:35.984Z<\/p>\n Soto Campos and Le Mou\u00ebl have joined the leaders. We now have a breakaway of seven at the front of the race.<\/p>\n Bodine Vollering is around 90 seconds behind and will be absorbed by the bunch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:19:27.898Z<\/p>\n The riders are about to pass through Oudenaarde.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:17:30.059Z The leaders are not far from the Volkegemberg climb now, which is quickly followed by the Holleweg cobbled sector.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:16:06.639Z<\/p>\n Chilean Catalina Soto Campos leads the intermediate group between the leaders and peloton.<\/p>\n B.Vollering is dropped from this group now. Soto Campos and Le Mou\u00ebl are around 18 seconds behind the leaders.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T13:12:05.326Z<\/p>\n Charlotte Kool is back in the peloton.<\/p>\n The Dutch rider is in decent form at the moment and was 7th at In Flanders Fields on Sunday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:09:33.061Z<\/p>\n The peloton is now almost four minutes behind the lead group of five.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:09:08.142Z<\/p>\n There can be little doubt that UAE Team ADQ have been one of the teams of the season so far. They are mobbing the front of the peloton in support of Longo Borghini.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:07:47.978Z<\/p>\n Bodine Vollering was dropped from the chase group over the Hellestraat and is around 20 seconds behind Le Mou\u00ebl and Soto Campos, who in turn have a 30 second deficit to the front of the race.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:06:22.843Z<\/p>\n This race mostly goes the way of the attackers and the big favourites, but occasionally with a headwind the sprinters can have their day. Chiara Consonni is a former winner here, having taken the bunch sprint in 2022.<\/p>\n Consonni is joined on the start-list by the likes of Ally Wollaston, Georgia Baker, Linda Zanetti and Kool – of whom we are awaiting news as to whether she has continued the race after her fall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T13:03:12.731Z<\/p>\n What of Puck Pieterse and Fenix-Premier Tech today? The Dutch rider has looked good so far this spring, but is yet to take a win.<\/p>\n Sprinter Charlotte Kool has just crashed in the peloton.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T12:58:23.644Z The first climb of the day<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:57:17.876Z After a few lumps, the riders are now descending towards the Hellestraat.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:56:17.692Z<\/p>\n A relaxed looking bunch allowing the leaders’ advantage to grow.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:54:49.210Z<\/p>\n Our first look at the breakaway, with Alison Avoine driving it on the front.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:53:23.090Z<\/p>\n The chase group is 45 seconds behind the lead, with the peloton happy to let this go out to 2:30.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:52:49.096Z<\/p>\n Rondel was caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n Another counter-attack has set off in pursuit of the leading five. New Pan-American champion Catalina Soto Campos is in the move alongside Bodine Vollering and C\u00e9lia Le Mou\u00ebl.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:51:26.310Z<\/p>\n 27-year-old Mia Griffin is the most seasoned of this leading group, having taken part in the Tour de France Femmes last year for Picnic-PostNL. This is her third Dwars door Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:47:17.330Z<\/p>\n There is around 7km until the first climb of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:45:41.418Z<\/p>\n The front group now have a lead of one minute.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:45:09.239Z L\u00e9a Rondel (Mayenne-Monbana-Mypie) is in between the two groups with around 30 seconds to the front of the race.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:44:11.947Z Mia Gjertsen (Uno X-Mobility), Mia Griffin (Picnic-PostNL), Alison Avoine (Ma Petite Enterprise), Idoia Eraso (Laboral Kitxka-Fundacion Euskadi) and Natalie Quinn (Mayenne-Monbana-Mypie) are the riders in front with a 45 seconds lead.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:41:29.835Z<\/p>\n The peloton has just completed a lap of Waregem, looping over the north of the city. Now, they are heading south towards the first climb of the day. The Hellestraat will be upon them in around 10km.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:40:18.222Z<\/p>\n There has been an attack by five riders in an attempt to form a breakaway.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:39:06.564Z<\/p>\n Alongside Reusser, Cat Ferguson is another card for Movistar to play today.<\/p>\n She had a few words to say about the imperious form of Lorena Wiebes earlier this week. She also thinks that she is making significant progress this year in the Classics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I feel physically much stronger than last year. I think more in a sense of I sort of fatigue less, and that’s probably just due to the fact I did no cyclocross over the winter, and I just committed to training,” she told Cyclingnews in Belgium this week.<\/p>\n “As well as the fact I’m a year older and experienced as well. But I think I’m just enjoying each race a lot more now than last year. It’s not quite as nerve-racking going into a race, and I feel a bit more confident with positioning and understanding how professional racing is going.”<\/p>\n ‘Wiebes is an absolute animal’ \u2013 Cat Ferguson says riders need to believe SD Worx-Protime star is beatable, or ‘it’s never going to happen’<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:35:15.328Z<\/p>\n Another shot of the riders setting off, with plenty of support on show for Belgian superstar Lotte Kopecky.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:32:50.849Z No attacks yet from the peloton<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:31:34.279Z<\/p>\n Here’s a clip of the riders leaving Waregem a few minutes ago.<\/p>\n The women’s race is on as well! The peloton left Waregem and is on its way to the official start. \ud83d\ude80 #DDV26 pic.twitter.com\/xxooD9HVRwApril 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:29:15.798Z<\/p>\n Demi Vollering looking focussed ahead of the race.<\/p>\n She won Dwars door Vlaanderen Women in 2023 with a solo move.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T12:27:09.768Z<\/p>\n There’s a gentle wind out on course today, so there’s little chance of echelons.<\/p>\n There is a bit of sun, too, and the temperature is around 13 degrees celsius.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:21:07.687Z<\/p>\n It’s a benign opening 40 kilometres as the peloton loops around Waregem before heading south towards the first hill of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:19:45.573Z<\/p>\n There’s news of one DNS from the start-list today. Alana Castrique of AG Insurance-Soudal hasn’t taken to the start.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:18:51.418Z The riders have set off from Waregem.<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:17:55.639Z<\/p>\n Enjoying our live Classics coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/p>\n Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:16:02.917Z<\/p>\n After a difficult 2025, Lotte Kopecky has made a remarkable return to form this spring.<\/p>\n The former world champion was victorious at Nokere Koerse two weeks ago before taking a big win at Milan-San Remo a few days later.<\/p>\n Are these ominous signs for the rest of the spring? We will find out more today on a more challenging course about Kopecky’s shape.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T12:10:47.565Z The riders have signed on and are ready to go. It’s time for the neutral roll-out.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T12:08:41.198Z<\/p>\n Last year Dwars doo Vlaanderen Women was all about one woman: Elisa Longo Borghini.<\/p>\n She attacked with 30km to go on the Huisepontweg cobble sector to win solo by more than two minutes.<\/p>\n Here’s a reminder of how it happened: Dwars door Vlaanderen Women: Elisa Longo Borghini launches long-range solo attack and lands 50th career victory<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-01T12:04:25.851Z<\/p>\n Let’s have a look at what the riders are facing today. With eight climbs and six cobbled sectors for the riders to contend with, it’s going to be a challenging day.<\/p>\n After a flat opening section, the difficulties will come thick and fast, particularly in the second half of the 128.8 kilometres.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are the key points out on course:<\/p>\n Climbs:<\/p>\n Hellestraat (1.5km @ 3.5% after 28km)<\/p>\n Volkegemberg (1.1km @ 4% after 46km)<\/p>\n Berg Ten Houte (1.1km @ 5.4% after 57km)<\/p>\n Knokteberg – Trieu (1km @ 7.8% after 74km)<\/p>\n Hotond (1.2km @ 3.2% after 77km)<\/p>\n Eikenberg (1.2km @ 5% after 89km)<\/p>\n Nokereberg (0.4km @ 4.6% after 107km)<\/p>\n Nokereberg (0.4km @ 4.6% after 119km)<\/p>\n Cobbles:<\/p>\n Holleweg (0.6km after 47km)<\/p>\n Mariaborrestraat (2.4km after 84km)<\/p>\n Doorn (1.6km after 99km)<\/p>\n Huisepontweg (1.6km after 102km)<\/p>\n Herlegemstraat (0.8km after 110km)<\/p>\n Herlegemstraat (0.8km after 122.5km)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T11:55:52.413Z<\/p>\n If Reusser has the form, she will no doubt be a contender today.<\/p>\n Other big favourites include Longo Borghini, Lotte Kopecky and Marianne Vos.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here’s our analysis of how the race could pan out today.<\/p>\n More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T11:53:32.814Z<\/p>\n Another returnee to the foray is Marlen Reusser.<\/p>\n The Swiss hasn’t been seen since she pulled out of the UAE Tour on the third stage after suffering deep cuts on her hand and knee in a crash.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “She’s in full preparation for La Vuelta which is the most important thing, but she’s ready to race and ready to go for Flanders,” Movistar Sports Director Kelvin Dekker told Cyclingnews this week.<\/p>\n ‘She’ll be one of our big cards to play’ \u2013 Marlen Reusser primed to hit the ground running for Movistar at Dwars door Vlaanderen after long injury sideline<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-01T11:50:26.649Z<\/p>\n Several favourites for the race today haven’t raced much of the Classics season so far, instead either choosing to keep themselves fresh or recovering from illness or injury.<\/p>\n Kim Le Court-Pienaar is one rider who hasn’t raced much, Demi Vollering is back in Belgium after her Omloop het Nieuwsblad victory in February and reigning champion Elisa Longo Borghini is taking in her first Belgian race of the year, having already been a winner at the UAE Tour and Trofeo Oro in Euro.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dwwKUJ3g2h9MQgMVFoY7gn.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\nMarlen Reusser wins Dwars door Vlaanderen Women 2026<\/p>\n
\n1km to go<\/p>\n
\n2km to go<\/p>\n
\n3km to go<\/p>\n
\n4km to go<\/p>\n
\n5km to go<\/p>\n
\nHerlegemstraat (0.8km)<\/p>\n
\n10km to go<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/akNKCjKp7qkvmqeNUAZMp5.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n15km<\/p>\n
\nHerlegemstraat<\/p>\n
\nNokereberg (0.4km at 4%)<\/p>\n
\nHuispontweg (1.6km)<\/p>\n
\nDoorn (1.6km)<\/p>\n
\n30km to go<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BdRp936yR68Sswv7TNueTN.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n40km to go<\/p>\n
\nEikenberg (1.2km at 5.2%)<\/p>\n
\nMariaborrestraat (2.4km)<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5ptLtfaxnTKevBVrjbQstb.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n50km to go<\/p>\n
\nHotond (1.2km at 3.2%)<\/p>\n
\nKnokteberg-Trieu (1km at 7.8%)<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/H4bU3L5DD2qCYDfNKSSqPQ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n60km to go<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HbQpYQMV5xQT2i49dLQC5A.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/93SnNdNKDEyjLFPguDLeAY.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n70km to go<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hMCwLLhdxETWvBnXLPr4M6.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nBerg Ten Houte (1.1km at 5.4%)<\/p>\n
\n80km to go<\/p>\n
\nHolleweg (0.6km)<\/p>\n
\nVolkegemberg (1.1km at 4%)<\/p>\n
Idoia Eraso
Mia Gjertsen
Mia Griffin
Alison Avoine
C\u00e9lia Le Mou\u00ebl
Natalia Quinn<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/oZWPoWjoGMbHAtSRACFSZ9.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n90km to go<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DvxiWtkRPCFnjFWkzZ4wVY.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CBzzeH8ZQcLcoCZDDRqCih.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Fenix-Premier](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/qN459Re3XwaqZxRfjpjzZk.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\nHellestraat (1.5km at 3.5%)<\/p>\n
\n100km to go<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TJ9LxzxfEvbvTeseENhkM9.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rt9cRjNDHfFxt4WA39qPJm.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n110km to go<\/p>\n
\nBreakaway<\/p>\n![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/9iRjhDpyxsHBF8oDq5aghf.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/68mUJsSvhHkAG42GzsWjnB.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n120km to go<\/p>\n![\"Dutch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/F9b4T2hK8ghtthKe3Vbn2K.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n128.8km to go<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gifbEzJQKfWQFSZSb88FFS.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\nNeutral Start<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/U2iwTqShdmJX3wQgm7acid.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"WAREGEM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/L3rpGMoZ2btVmRBoESyX6R.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n![\"Wout](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"FELANITX](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/keuExybEEZWPSH5SLzW2LX.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n