The punchy finale in Namur which became the traditional finish line of the race has always favoured puncheurs, or the sprinters who can climb in recent decades. Philippe Gilbert, Greg van Avermaert and Tim Wellens are amongst the winners. Both late attacks and sprints can equally succeed on the cobbled ascent, making it a winner’s list with a lot of variety.
In 2022 Mathieu van der Poel took the win over Biniam Girmay, after the Eritrean had similarly defeated him at the Giro d’Italia – perhaps the modern GP de Wallonie’s most iconic finale. Since, Spanish duo Gonzalo Serrano and Roger Adrià won; whilst Arnaud de Lie was crowned victor in 2025.
Mathieu van der Poel is a former winner of the GP de Wallonie
Preview GP de Wallonie 2026
The startlist is absolutely stacked, above many World Tour races that rival it. It is a classic fit for the puncheurs and classics specialists, whilst some sprinters may survive it as well. Some sprinters are present even though their chances of succeeding are very low, such as Soren Waerenskjold, Max Kanter and Milan Fretin.
Others, such as Biniam Girmay, Mike Teunissen, Danny van Poppel, or of course the defending champion Arnaud de Lie might be amongst those who can climb and then still sprint. The latter, continuously ill, might not be in his best form however.
Then we’ve got teams with serious depth, such as UAE with Benoît Cosnefroy, Tim Wellens, Florian Vermeersch, António Morgado and Rui Oliveira. A team who might blow up the race fully on the longer climbs, has every reason and also the men to make the finale as hard as possible for Cosnefroy – whilst others might win from an attack.
Red Bull have a lot of depth with van Poppel for a softer sprint, Laurence Pithie for a harder sprint and Tim van Dijke to help both or be part of attacks. Pure puncheur wise the likes of Romain Grégoire, Jenno Berckmoes and Paul Lapeira are all very explosive and carrying good form into the race, whilst Riley Sheehan is as well and may carry the extra motivation from not having been selected to the World Championships and wanting to prove a point.
Even less explosive classics specialists such as Jonas Abrahamsen or Dylan Teuns can make the difference here, whilst the list of contenders extends on and on. Tibor del Grosso, Clément Venturini, Matteo Trentin, Fabio Christen, Roger Adrià, Natnael Tesfatsion… All riders who can realistically finish on the podium.
Prediction GP de Wallonie 2026:
*** Romain Grégoire, Benoît Cosnefroy, Laurence Pithie
** Biniam Girmay, Jenno Berckmoes, Riley Sheehan, Tim Wellens, Paul Lapeira
* Tibor del Grosso, Clément Venturini, Matteo Trentin, Jonas Abrahamsen, Mike Teunissen, Tim van Dijke, Danny van Poppel, Fabio Christen, Arnaud de Lie, Florian Vermeersch, Dylan Teuns, Roger Adrià, Natnael Tesfatsion
Pick: Benoît Cosnefroy
How: Reduced group sprint.
Profile GP de Wallonie: Seraing – Citadelle de Namur 
Seraing – Citadelle de Namur, 195.5 kilometers
With 195 kilometers in length and 2500 climbing meters, the profile is notably more similar to the Ardennes classics than the Flandrien, taking place over the same region. Yet, the race has features from both traditions.
The steep climbs will be noted, mostly with 80 and 64 kilometers to go, as the peloton will tackle two different ascents with around 1.5 kilometers in length, and 10% average gradient.
The run-up to the finish is not as difficult, but is not easy by ay means. The Tienne aux Pierres climb with 11 kilometers to go is 3 kilometers long at 4.9%, warming things up for the final ascent.
The fight for positioning into the ascent to the Citadelle de Namur is often ferocious, prolonging the duration of the effort. The climb in itself, cobbled almost all the way to the line, is 3.1 kilometers long at 4.2%. Ideal for those who thrive on the shorter climbing efforts, whilst explosivity is always key for the race’s decision.
List of winners GP de WallonieYear1st2nd3rd2025Arnaud De LieÉmilien JeannièreBiniam Girmay2024Roger AdriàAlex AranburuClément Champoussin2023Gonzalo SerranoDylan TeunsJasper De Buyst2022Mathieu van der PoelBiniam GirmayGonzalo Serrano2021Christophe LaporteWarren BarguilTosh Van der Sande2020Not held——2019Krists NeilandsJasper StuyvenJasper De Buyst2018Jasper StuyvenDimitri ClaeysWarren Barguil2017Tim WellensTony GallopinJulien Simon2016Tony GallopinPetr VakočJérôme Baugnies2015Jens DebusschereJan BakelantsChristophe Laporte2014Greg Van AvermaetTony GallopinJan Bakelants2013Jan BakelantsThomas VoecklerMathias Frank2012Julien SimonGreg Van AvermaetBjörn Leukemans2011Philippe GilbertJulien SimonBjörn Leukemans2010Paul MartensRiccardo RiccòCadel Evans2009Nick NuyensAllan DavisRoy Sentjens2008Stefano GarzelliGiovanni ViscontiJérôme Pineau2007Bert De WaeleCédric VasseurThor Hushovd2006Philippe GilbertNick NuyensWilliam Bonnet2005Nick NuyensBjörn LeukemansIgor Abakoumov2004Nick NuyensPhilippe GilbertJérôme Pineau2003Dave BruylandtsMarek RutkiewiczMickaël Pichon2002Dave BruylandtsLennie KristensenNicolas Fritsch2001Axel MerckxTom StremerschScott Sunderland2000Alberto ElliDidier RousKurt Van De Wouwer1999Patrick JonkerLéon van BonKoos Moerenhout1998Udo BöltsRik VerbruggheStéphane Heulot1997Dimitri KonyshevLaurent MadouasDavide Casarotto1996Franco BalleriniBo HamburgerFrank Corvers1995Andrea ChiuratoMaarten den BakkerFausto Dotti1994Peter FarazijnUdo BöltsJan Nevens1993Patrick EvenepoelRaymond MeijsMario De Clercq1992Danny NelissenMarc BouillonSammie Moreels1991Frank Van Den AbeeleJohan BruyneelSammie Moreels1990Luc LeblancMichel DerniesJohan Bruyneel1989Thomas WegmüllerRobert MillarJos van Aert1988Claude CriquielionLaurent Fignon*Charly Mottet1987Pascal PoissonJan NevensNo 3rd place1986Steven RooksMichel DerniesPatrick Versluys1985Marc MadiotJoop ZoetemelkClaude Criquielion1984Frank HosteClaude CriquielionPaul Sherwen1983Stephen RocheEric VanderaerdenPhil Anderson1982Hennie KuiperGerard VeldscholtenJos Jacobs1981Walter DalgalCharly JochumsPatrick Versluys1980Willy De GeestJacques MartinClaude Criquielion1979Leo van VlietJean-René BernaudeauFedor den Hertog1978Willem PeetersAlbert Van VlierbergheJacques Martin1977Walter PlanckaertMarc DemeyerWillem Peeters1976Herman Van SpringelFreddy MaertensFrans Verbeeck1975André DierickxEddy MerckxFerdinand Bracke1974Frans VerbeeckFreddy MaertensRoger De Vlaeminck1973Albert Van VlierbergheGérard BesnardWalter Godefroot1972Emile CambréJos van der VleutenGeorges Barras1971Felice GimondiWalter GodefrootGeorges Pintens1970Ferdinand BrackeEddy BeugelsGeorges Pintens1969Not held——1968Not held——1967Not held——1966Not held——1965Not held——1964Not held——1963Not held——1962Not held——1961Not held——1960Not held——1959Not held——1958Not held——1957Not held——1956Not held——1955Not held——1954Not held——1953Not held——1952Not held——1951Not held——1950Joseph VeraertNello SforacchiEduard Van Ende1949Jacques GeusRené WalschotJan Van Steen1948Not held——1947Not held——1946Not held——1945Not held——1944Joseph SomersEugeen JacobsLode Poels1943Edward Van DijckRichard DepoorterAlbert Ritserveldt1942Maurice Van HerzeleEmiel FaignaertJoseph Moerenhout1941Not held——1940Not held——1939Adolf BraeckeveldtAdelin Van SimaeysGeorges Christiaens1938Adolf BraeckeveldtFrans DemondtLeopold Van den Bossche1937Karel TersagoRené PedroliPierre Houbrechts1936Adolf BraeckeveldtAntonio FabrisConstant Struyven1935Gustaaf DegreefJoseph VanderhaegenGerard Leopold