{"id":772219,"date":"2026-09-16T06:24:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T06:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/772219\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T06:24:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T06:24:17","slug":"gp-de-wallonie-2026-preview-profile-favourites-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/772219\/","title":{"rendered":"GP de Wallonie 2026 preview, profile, favourites & predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 Adri\u00e0 won; whilst Arnaud de Lie<\/a> was crowned victor in 2025.\"Mathieu<\/p>\n

Mathieu van der Poel is a former winner of the GP de Wallonie<\/p>\n

Preview GP de Wallonie 2026<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Then we’ve got teams with serious depth, such as UAE with Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy, Tim Wellens, Florian Vermeersch, Ant\u00f3nio 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.<\/p>\n

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 Gr\u00e9goire<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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, Cl\u00e9ment Venturini, Matteo Trentin, Fabio Christen, Roger Adri\u00e0, Natnael Tesfatsion… All riders who can realistically finish on the podium.<\/p>\n

Prediction GP de Wallonie 2026:\u00a0<\/p>\n

*** Romain Gr\u00e9goire, Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy, Laurence Pithie<\/p>\n

** Biniam Girmay, Jenno Berckmoes, Riley Sheehan, Tim Wellens, Paul Lapeira<\/p>\n

* Tibor del Grosso, Cl\u00e9ment Venturini, Matteo Trentin, Jonas Abrahamsen, Mike Teunissen, Tim van Dijke, Danny van Poppel, Fabio Christen, Arnaud de Lie, Florian Vermeersch, Dylan Teuns, Roger Adri\u00e0, Natnael Tesfatsion<\/p>\n

Pick: Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy<\/p>\n

How: Reduced group sprint.<\/p>\n

Profile GP de Wallonie: Seraing – Citadelle de Namur\u00a0\"Profile<\/p>\n

Seraing – Citadelle de Namur, 195.5 kilometers<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

List of winners GP de WallonieYear1st2nd3rd2025Arnaud De Lie\u00c9milien Jeanni\u00e8reBiniam Girmay2024Roger Adri\u00e0Alex AranburuCl\u00e9ment Champoussin2023Gonzalo SerranoDylan TeunsJasper De Buyst2022Mathieu van der PoelBiniam GirmayGonzalo Serrano2021Christophe LaporteWarren BarguilTosh Van der Sande2020Not held\u2014\u20142019Krists NeilandsJasper StuyvenJasper De Buyst2018Jasper StuyvenDimitri ClaeysWarren Barguil2017Tim WellensTony GallopinJulien Simon2016Tony GallopinPetr Vako\u010dJ\u00e9r\u00f4me Baugnies2015Jens DebusschereJan BakelantsChristophe Laporte2014Greg Van AvermaetTony GallopinJan Bakelants2013Jan BakelantsThomas VoecklerMathias Frank2012Julien SimonGreg Van AvermaetBj\u00f6rn Leukemans2011Philippe GilbertJulien SimonBj\u00f6rn Leukemans2010Paul MartensRiccardo Ricc\u00f2Cadel Evans2009Nick NuyensAllan DavisRoy Sentjens2008Stefano GarzelliGiovanni ViscontiJ\u00e9r\u00f4me Pineau2007Bert De WaeleC\u00e9dric VasseurThor Hushovd2006Philippe GilbertNick NuyensWilliam Bonnet2005Nick NuyensBj\u00f6rn LeukemansIgor Abakoumov2004Nick NuyensPhilippe GilbertJ\u00e9r\u00f4me Pineau2003Dave BruylandtsMarek RutkiewiczMicka\u00ebl Pichon2002Dave BruylandtsLennie KristensenNicolas Fritsch2001Axel MerckxTom StremerschScott Sunderland2000Alberto ElliDidier RousKurt Van De Wouwer1999Patrick JonkerL\u00e9on van BonKoos Moerenhout1998Udo B\u00f6ltsRik VerbruggheSt\u00e9phane Heulot1997Dimitri KonyshevLaurent MadouasDavide Casarotto1996Franco BalleriniBo HamburgerFrank Corvers1995Andrea ChiuratoMaarten den BakkerFausto Dotti1994Peter FarazijnUdo B\u00f6ltsJan Nevens1993Patrick EvenepoelRaymond MeijsMario De Clercq1992Danny NelissenMarc BouillonSammie Moreels1991Frank Van Den AbeeleJohan BruyneelSammie Moreels1990Luc LeblancMichel DerniesJohan Bruyneel1989Thomas Wegm\u00fcllerRobert 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-Ren\u00e9 BernaudeauFedor den Hertog1978Willem PeetersAlbert Van VlierbergheJacques Martin1977Walter PlanckaertMarc DemeyerWillem Peeters1976Herman Van SpringelFreddy MaertensFrans Verbeeck1975Andr\u00e9 DierickxEddy MerckxFerdinand Bracke1974Frans VerbeeckFreddy MaertensRoger De Vlaeminck1973Albert Van VlierbergheG\u00e9rard BesnardWalter Godefroot1972Emile Cambr\u00e9Jos van der VleutenGeorges Barras1971Felice GimondiWalter GodefrootGeorges Pintens1970Ferdinand BrackeEddy BeugelsGeorges Pintens1969Not held\u2014\u20141968Not held\u2014\u20141967Not held\u2014\u20141966Not held\u2014\u20141965Not held\u2014\u20141964Not held\u2014\u20141963Not held\u2014\u20141962Not held\u2014\u20141961Not held\u2014\u20141960Not held\u2014\u20141959Not held\u2014\u20141958Not held\u2014\u20141957Not held\u2014\u20141956Not held\u2014\u20141955Not held\u2014\u20141954Not held\u2014\u20141953Not held\u2014\u20141952Not held\u2014\u20141951Not held\u2014\u20141950Joseph VeraertNello SforacchiEduard Van Ende1949Jacques GeusRen\u00e9 WalschotJan Van Steen1948Not held\u2014\u20141947Not held\u2014\u20141946Not held\u2014\u20141945Not held\u2014\u20141944Joseph SomersEugeen JacobsLode Poels1943Edward Van DijckRichard DepoorterAlbert Ritserveldt1942Maurice Van HerzeleEmiel FaignaertJoseph Moerenhout1941Not held\u2014\u20141940Not held\u2014\u20141939Adolf BraeckeveldtAdelin Van SimaeysGeorges Christiaens1938Adolf BraeckeveldtFrans DemondtLeopold Van den Bossche1937Karel TersagoRen\u00e9 PedroliPierre Houbrechts1936Adolf BraeckeveldtAntonio FabrisConstant Struyven1935Gustaaf DegreefJoseph VanderhaegenGerard Leopold<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The punchy finale in Namur which became the traditional finish line of the race has always 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