{"id":496503,"date":"2026-03-26T14:11:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/496503\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T14:11:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:11:14","slug":"ronde-van-brugge-women-live-sprinters-to-face-off-on-a-windy-day-through-west-flanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/496503\/","title":{"rendered":"Ronde van Brugge Women LIVE: Sprinters to face-off on a windy day through West Flanders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-03-26T14:07:34.434Z<\/p>\n

Susanne Andersen and Linda Zanetti will be Uno-X Mobility’s best hopes for a result today.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T14:00:58.066Z<\/p>\n

There is still no breakaway. The riders are 5km away from the first passing of the Brieversweg cobble section.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:55:14.313Z<\/p>\n

AG Insurance-Soudal’s Shari Bossuyt is an outsider for the win today.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old is taking on her first full season since returning from an anti-doping suspension and is yet to finish outside of the top-7 in any of her races so far in 2026.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T13:51:33.967Z
\n100km to go<\/p>\n

The riders are entering the local circuit. It’s nearly time for some cobbles.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:50:34.526Z<\/p>\n

We’re an hour in and the riders have covered 42 kilometres.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:50:11.945Z<\/p>\n

Wiebes has said before the start that she is looking to see the race split up today in the crosswinds.<\/p>\n

“Hopefully the crosswinds break things up and a small group rides to the finish for a sprint,” she said to the media before the start.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:45:35.028Z<\/p>\n

The cobbled sector is 1.3km long, completely flat and dead-straight. The stones themselves are small and uniform, so this isn’t the toughest sector of cobbles you’re likely to see over the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:44:01.697Z<\/p>\n

The riders are just entering the town of Beernem. There are 6km left until they enter the circuit and a further 8 until the first passing of the Brieversweg cobbled sector.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:40:23.633Z<\/p>\n

Lorena Wiebes has removed her leg warmers. That either means that conditions are getting better, or she’s getting ready for things to kick-off in the wind.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:38:58.658Z
\n110km to go<\/p>\n

There’s still no breakaway<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:32:44.700Z<\/p>\n

The Visma-Lease a Bike squad rolling to the sign-on area earlier.<\/p>\n

The Dutch team has last year’s sixth-place rider in its line-up today, 22-year-old Nienke Veenhoven. Can she improve on that performance today?<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T13:29:07.248Z<\/p>\n

UAE Team ADQ’s Sofie van Rooijen returning to the peloton after a puncture.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T13:28:22.507Z<\/p>\n

The riders have completed 29 kilometres and are heading into the town of Wingene. After that, they will turn north into a headwind and towards the local circuit.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:26:40.601Z<\/p>\n

It’s not currently raining on the course, but you can see the spray coming from Margaux Vigie’s back wheel here. Tough conditions out there today.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T13:21:00.421Z
\n120km to go<\/p>\n

The bunch is still together and ticking along at over 45km per hour.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:19:23.185Z<\/p>\n

One of the more eye-catching stories from the men’s race yesterday was the crash on the cobbled sector caused by a sitting climate protestor. Several riders came down in the incident.<\/p>\n

Climate protester sits down on cobbles in front of oncoming peloton at Ronde Van Brugge<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-26T13:16:27.554Z<\/p>\n

EF Education-Oatly has brought a young team to Bruges today.<\/p>\n

Canadian Alexandra Volstad, pictured here, could be their best bet for a result later on. She was going well at the UAE Tour last month.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T13:10:06.177Z
\n130km to go<\/p>\n

The riders have less than 300 metres of elevation on the course today. There won’t be many flatter races than that all season.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:06:46.330Z<\/p>\n

The peloton is all together at the moment<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:05:49.333Z<\/p>\n

The riders are through the town of Torhout and are now heading east.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T13:05:05.409Z<\/p>\n

It’s 7 degrees celsius out there today, with the wind making it feel much cooler. Riders are dressed in full winter kit.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T13:02:52.808Z<\/p>\n

An early mechanical issue for Femke Markus of SD Worx-ProTime. She will be a key helper for Wiebes later on.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:56:50.171Z<\/p>\n

After that, the peloton will head east, which could mean an early chance for echelons.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:55:28.311Z<\/p>\n

With 5km done, the riders are heading south towards the town of Torhout.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:54:33.595Z<\/p>\n

Enjoying our live race 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

2026-03-26T12:53:59.063Z<\/p>\n

Human Powered Health have a few potential cards for later on.<\/p>\n

Maggie Coles-Lyster looks back towards her best after missing much of last season through illness. She won the Tour Down Under-One Day Race in January before several top-10s at the UAE Tour.<\/p>\n

You’d bet on Kathrin Schweinberger making the splits should they occur later on and she was 10th here in 2025. Silvia Zanardi was in the top-20 at this race last year.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-26T12:48:46.222Z<\/p>\n

Here is the peloton rolling out of Bruges just a few minutes ago<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea #RondeVanBrugge WE – \ud83d\udfe2 \ud83d\udd1b#RodamosJuntos | @movistar_es | #TourofBruges pic.twitter.com\/K6aqkwj0bxMarch 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:46:15.219Z
\n144km to go<\/p>\n

The race is underway.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:44:48.835Z<\/p>\n

Lidl-Trek’s Elisa Balsamo in high spirits at the start in the centre of Bruges. Can she challenge Wiebes today?<\/p>\n

Good vibes at #RondevanBrugge despite the rainy weather! \ud83c\udf27\ufe0fAn exciting race ahead for our women\u2019s team \ud83e\udd1e pic.twitter.com\/MXIuNzjkMUMarch 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:43:17.965Z<\/p>\n

Reports of the speed of the wind vary at the moment, but most seem to agree that it is blowing above 20km\/h and gusting. That could be enough to blow the race to bits later on. We could be in for some carnage out on the roads of West Flanders over the next few hours.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:41:01.432Z<\/p>\n

It’s five minutes until the flag will drop for the official start of the race.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:38:48.583Z<\/p>\n

Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto are also ready to face the bracing conditions.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already had four seasons, but spirits are not dampened \u2013 great opportunities await the team today! \ud83d\udc4a#RondevanBrugge pic.twitter.com\/XueNg32gi0March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:36:57.333Z<\/p>\n

Before taking on two local laps around Bruges, which include the Brieversweg cobbled section, the riders will head out on a 45km loop south taking in the towns of Torhout, Wingene and Beernem.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:34:25.637Z<\/p>\n

The Liv-AlUla-Jayco riders are wrapped up in the cold and windy conditions.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea #RondeVanBruggeA real Flemish classic. Rain, cold, echelons and crosswind. The show is guaranteed! pic.twitter.com\/4RCVFOClWQMarch 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:31:33.269Z
\nNeutral start<\/p>\n

The riders are setting off. They will ride through Bruges behind the commissaire’s car before being unleashed at around 13:45 CET.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:29:50.415Z<\/p>\n

Looking a bit deeper into the start-list today, let’s see who else could contend for the win.<\/p>\n

Fenix-Premier Tech’s Charlotte Kool appears to be back on form this year after a difficult 2025. The two-time Tour de France Femmes stage-winner took the win at the FENIX-EKO\u00cf Omloop van het Hageland at the beginning of this month and scored a top-10 at Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n

Chiara Consonni is always there in the big sprints, but often doesn’t have the top-end speed to beat the quickest riders.<\/p>\n

Georgia Baker is in a similar boat to Consonni and Liv-AlUla-Jayco will be hoping she can contend for a top-5 today.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:21:57.231Z<\/p>\n

So what do the riders have to tackle out on the route today? It’s a pan-flat course, starting and finishing in Bruges, but that doesn’t mean that the race is absent of obstacles.<\/p>\n

As evidenced by the men’s race yesterday, there are plenty of opportunities to split the race should the wind blow hard enough due to the many exposed sections of road.<\/p>\n

There is also a cobbled sector that the riders will take on twice. The Brieversweg is 1.3km long and will be taken on with 90km to go and then 30km to go.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:18:48.659Z<\/p>\n

Originally, Wiebes had planned to sit out the race today. However, after reigning Luxembourg national champion Marie Schreiber pulled out of the race, SD Worx-ProTime opted to replace her with the pre-eminent sprinter of this generation.<\/p>\n

Wiebes missed out on fighting for the victory in San Remo on Saturday and seems keen to add another WorldTour win to her collection today.<\/p>\n

“She is in good shape and was very keen to add the Bruges Cycling Classic to her calendar once it became clear that Marie Schreiber wouldn\u2019t be fit in time. So we will try to defend her victory,\u201d Sports Director Christian Kos said ahead of the race.<\/p>\n

Late roster move puts Ronde van Brugge defending champion Lorena Wiebes back in lineup for ‘tough race’ with forecast of rain and wind<\/a><\/p>\n

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

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

2026-03-26T12:15:10.402Z<\/p>\n

The riders are due to roll out for the neutral start in around 15 minutes. The race will officially get underway at 13:45 CET.<\/p>\n

2026-03-26T12:14:09.764Z<\/p>\n

Reigning champion Lorena Wiebes comes in as the big favourite once again for this race, but who might challenge her should it all come down to a sprint?<\/p>\n

Irish rider Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) has taken a big step forward over the past 18 months and is getting closer to Wiebes in terms of speed. Lidl-Trek’s former world champion Elisa Balsamo is another who will be aiming for victory. The Italian has won this race twice before. New Zealand champion Ally Wollaston is another with big ambitions. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider went close to Wiebes in the sprint from the chase group at Milan-San Remo last week.<\/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

\n

\"Dylan\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-26T12:05:52.445Z<\/p>\n

This race was formerly known as Brugge-De Panne, and has been through several iterations previous to that. There’s a new route to get familiar with and a new finish in Bruges.<\/p>\n

The race no longer goes near the coast in De Panne, missing out the famous De Moeren section, which has decided many a race over the years due to its exposure to the wind.<\/p>\n

Welcome to Cyclingnews’ live coverage of the 2026 Ronde van Brugge Women.<\/p>\n

The race has a fresh name for 2026, but will we have a different kind of race today? The wind is blowing out in West Flanders, but all signs point towards a sprint in Bruges later today.<\/p>\n

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