{"id":494658,"date":"2026-03-25T14:55:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/494658\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T14:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:55:19","slug":"ronde-van-brugge-men-live-echelons-split-the-race-on-a-windy-day-in-belgium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/494658\/","title":{"rendered":"Ronde Van Brugge Men LIVE: Echelons split the race on a windy day in Belgium."},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:53:02.883Z
\n70KM TO GO<\/p>\n

It actually looks like this lead group has no more than 40 riders in it. A smaller chase group is behind, and then a larger third group are 35 seconds adrift.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:51:45.717Z<\/p>\n

Molano, Philipsen and Rex all appear to be in the front group.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:51:16.316Z<\/p>\n

A second group has joined the first group, so there are now about 50 riders in the lead.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:48:04.253Z<\/p>\n

Dylan Groenewegen is in this front group with some teammates.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:47:16.239Z<\/p>\n

There are only about 12 riders in the front group, with multiple groups behind chasing.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:46:54.319Z<\/p>\n

Small gap are appearing all over this front group.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:46:29.458Z<\/p>\n

More splits, as they go through a crosswind section!<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:45:16.406Z<\/p>\n

There are 25 seconds between the two groups.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:44:15.623Z<\/p>\n

UAE and Ineos are both contributing to the pace-setting in this front group.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:43:38.163Z<\/p>\n

Jasper Philipsen is in the front group.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:41:37.410Z
\n80KM TO GO<\/p>\n

There are about 50 riders in the front group, with other groups trying to chase back on.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:41:10.981Z<\/p>\n

The crach actually happened in the front group. Abram Stockman looked the worse off, but looks like he’ll continue.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:39:55.882Z<\/p>\n

And now there’s a crash in one of the trailing groups, with three riders down.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:39:33.665Z<\/p>\n

Echelons! The peloton has split once more.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:39:18.731Z<\/p>\n

The pace is really up now, and the peloton looks at breaking point.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:38:57.517Z<\/p>\n

Matthias Schwarzbacher crashed a little earlier, and has abandoned the race.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:38:17.749Z<\/p>\n

Fabio Jakobsen is one of a few riders who have been dropped as a result of this pace. The Dutch rider has continued to struggle for form this year.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:37:22.318Z<\/p>\n

Ineos are at the front of the peloton, and stretching it out.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:36:36.309Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:30:43.371Z<\/p>\n

The peloton finish the cobbles with no attack having gone clear.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:28:56.052Z
\n90KM TO GO<\/p>\n

He’s been brought back by the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:28:16.813Z<\/p>\n

Simon Dehairs of Jasper Philipsen’s Alpecin team has attacked on the cobbles, and got a small gap.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:27:44.875Z<\/p>\n

They\u2019re back on the Brieversweg cobbles for the second time.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:24:57.277Z<\/p>\n

The race is continually fluctuating as the road constantly changes direction, with the riders aware of how wind could again disrupt the race around the corner.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:23:28.086Z<\/p>\n

Lidl-Trek are the team most prominent at the front of the peloton, despite the absence of their main men Jonathan Milan and Mads Pedersen.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:22:14.332Z<\/p>\n

The pace remains relatively slow and bunched up together.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:19:33.058Z
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n

We’re into the second half of the race!<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:15:44.020Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:13:48.634Z<\/p>\n

This race is a rare thing in Belgium – one that hasn’t been won by Tom Boonen, even back when it was the Three Days of De Panne. The legendary Belgian will be back in action at the E3 classic on Friday, where he will be operating in the Soudal-QuickStep team car.<\/p>\n

‘See if I still have any connection’ \u2013 Tom Boonen returns to Soudal-QuickStep fold with spot in team car for E3 Saxo Classic<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:09:50.599Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:08:07.537Z<\/p>\n

There’s been a crash, with Daniel Cavia falling.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:05:20.382Z
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n

As we approach the halfway point of the race, there are no more splits, and no breakaway clear ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T14:00:03.811Z<\/p>\n

And the view from the back of the peloton while it was being split.<\/p>\n

\n

\"a\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:54:47.477Z<\/p>\n

This was a sample of some of the echelon action a little earlier when UAE pressed on and managed to split the peloton temporarily.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:51:53.573Z
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Thing have settled down a little, as the riders cross over the finish line in Bruges for the first time today, but there’s still no sign of a break being formed.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:46:55.227Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:42:18.423Z<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s winner Juan Sebastian Molano at the start. His triumph here last year proved he can navigate the various difficulties this race throws at you, and is therefore one of the top contenders again this time even if his form has tailed off a little since a stage win at February\u2019s Tour of Oman opening stage.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:40:41.738Z
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n

They’ve been racing for over 70km now, and yet still things haven’t calmed down.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:34:19.484Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"Belgian\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:30:05.818Z<\/p>\n

Again echelons form, but again the peloton comes back together after splitting briefly.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:29:05.897Z<\/p>\n

The riders rushing over the Brieversweg cobbles.<\/p>\n

\n

\"French\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:24:58.536Z
\n140KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Despite the splits and threatening to break into pieces, the race remains all together for now.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:23:35.103Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:21:53.677Z<\/p>\n

The wind is blowing, and it\u2019s all kicking off, with some splits briefly opened up in the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:18:47.013Z<\/p>\n

Our run-down of the favourites for the win today, plus tomorrow’s women’s race.<\/p>\n

New name, new route, new winners? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men’s and women’s Ronde Van Brugge<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:15:52.442Z<\/p>\n

The two escapees, before they were brought back.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:13:20.966Z<\/p>\n

Serrano and Van Tricht have been brought back, meaning the race is all together again.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:11:57.021Z<\/p>\n

The riders are about to hit the day\u2019s sole cobbled sector for the first time, the 1.3km Brieversweg. In truth it\u2019s not especially tough, and will only be tackled three times. The wind is more of a problem at this race than the road surfaces.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:10:42.848Z
\n150KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Serrano and Van Tricht lead, but only just. They’re 15 seconds up on the peloton, where things have yet to settle down.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:06:06.129Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T13:03:03.874Z<\/p>\n

Two riders have a gap of about ten seconds – Gonzalo Serrano of Movistar and Floris Van Tricht of NSN.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:59:23.469Z
\n160KM TO GO<\/p>\n

A fifth of the way into the race, and the break is yet to form.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:55:16.900Z<\/p>\n

This is the day the cobbled classic seasons really intensifies, with the races coming thick and fast before the climactic week of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. We had a think about what storylines will be the most intriguing to follow this spring.<\/p>\n

The cobbled Classics storylines we’re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:51:37.104Z<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a bad start for Soudal-QuickStep with two of their men falling, but they remain strong candidates for the win with their sprinter Laurenz Rex. The Belgian has been in great form of late, with a runner-up finish at Le Samyn and 6th at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, and could today claim what would be the biggest win of his career.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Belgian\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:43:27.862Z
\n170KM TO GO<\/p>\n

We\u2019re over 30km into the stage now and, despite multiple attempts, still nobody has managed to form a successful breakaway.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:41:03.832Z<\/p>\n

A glimpse of Jasper Philipsen at the start, the biggest name sprinter in the race and favourite for the victory.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Alpecin-Premier\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:35:28.783Z<\/p>\n

Stage three of the Volta a Catalunya is also taking place today, and we have live coverage of that race too, that you can follow along with here.<\/p>\n

Volta a Catalunya stage 3 LIVE: A mountainous start heads to a flat finale and one last chance for the sprinters<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:34:26.241Z<\/p>\n

Lidl-Trek’s Jakob Soderqvist had a flat tyre earlier, but is back in the peloton now.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:33:07.144Z
\n180KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Still no breakaway has formed.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:30:36.498Z<\/p>\n

Van Gestel back up and running after his fall.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:28:50.843Z<\/p>\n

The crash the Soudal riders were involved in.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BRUGES,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:27:06.206Z<\/p>\n

It’s windy out there, but the riders have for now been spared the rain.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:25:39.862Z<\/p>\n

Alex Kirsch of Cofidis has also had a fall.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:25:04.549Z<\/p>\n

That has also already been a crash, with the Soudal-QuickStep riders Dries Van Gestel and Fabio Van den Bossche both involved.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:23:39.346Z
\n190KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Still no sign of a breakaway forming, over 10km into the race. Julius Johansen of UAE Team Emirates-XRG managed to get a small gap, but was brought back.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:18:44.417Z<\/p>\n

Road furniture is another complicating factor of Brugge De Panne, with lots of small roundabouts like this one for the riders to contend with. Technique and bike handling skills are just as important here as speed and resilience.<\/p>\n

\n

\"a\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:15:44.132Z<\/p>\n

The start was absent of one contender who was supposed to take part today – Milan Fretin, who pulled out due to illness.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:06:52.282Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

And they’re off!<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:06:06.565Z<\/p>\n

Excitingly for us spectators, albeit stressfully for the participants, it\u2019s looking like wind could be a factor today. It\u2019s blowing at about 15mph, which, given the twisty nature of the route and exposed roads, will likely see echelons form.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T12:03:29.715Z<\/p>\n

The calm before the storm – the riders moving through the neutralised section, before the flag drops and the battle to get into the breakaway commences.<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:59:32.451Z<\/p>\n

Though it might be billed as a sprinters\u2019 race, this being Belgium, things are never that straightforward. There are still cobbled sectors to contend with, exposed roads, and the weather – which today is forecasted to be cold and wet.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:55:10.852Z<\/p>\n

The riders at the start in Bruges.<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:52:46.769Z<\/p>\n

The action will kick off in about ten minutes. Right now the rivers are making their way through the neutralised zone towards the official start.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:48:49.040Z<\/p>\n

Despite the changes, the race retains its identity as a sprinters\u2019 classics and its pan flat parcours. Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier and Sam Bennett are among the past winners, and we can expect those of similar ilk to be in contention today.<\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:45:13.253Z<\/p>\n

Rider safety has been cited as one of the reasons for the change of finale. Last year\u2019s finish in De Panne was a chaotic affair, with many of the top favourites going down in multiple late crashes that occurred on the technical roads – the organisers wanted to avoid a repeat of that this year.<\/p>\n

Classic Brugge-De Panne: Molano awarded photo-finish victory against Milan in crash-marred final<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:38:11.570Z<\/p>\n

This race will be more familiar to most as the Classic Brugge-De Panne, but has changed its name and has an altered route, that will both start and finish in Bruges and bypass its former finish on the coast of De Panne.<\/p>\n

New-look Ronde van Brugge to replace Classic Brugge-De Panne for 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-25T11:32:42.900Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to the 2026 Ronde Van Brugge!<\/p>\n

Please follow our community guidelines<\/a>.” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”><\/p>\n

You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n

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Logout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2026-03-25T14:53:02.883Z 70KM TO GO It actually looks like this lead group has no more than 40 riders…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":494659,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-494658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=494658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494658\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/494659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=494658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=494658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=494658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}