As It Happened - Dwars door Vlaanderen Men ends with a finish line catch

Racing will start with the roll-out at 1155 CET

The race starts in Roeselare in West Flanders, home each eyar to the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré one-day race, which was won by Dylan Groenewegen earlier this spring. While we're waiting for the start, you can read the full report here:
GP Jean-Pierre Monseré: Dylan Groenewegen blasts through final metres and denies breakaway for victory

Meantime, too, here's a shot of a certain rider at the sign-on who's generating a fair bit of media interest for some reason...

Quite apart from Wout van Aert and Visma-Lease a Bike, keen to set the record straight after their debacle in last year's race, there's plenty of interest in what Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech), the winner of In Flanders Field last Sunday, can do, along with Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), back after skipping Sunday's race with a cold, while sprinter Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarché) is still on the hunt for a win of any kind this spring...

For a full analysis of the men's and women's top contenders, look no further than colleague Laura Weislo's analysis here:
More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up – Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen

The riders are now underway in the neutralised section of Dwars door Vlaanderen. Kick-off for real is in about 10 minutes' time.

The DDV start was buzzing with the will-he/won't he news about one potential starter in another, rather bigger, Belgian cobbled Classic, by the way, Remco Evenepoel's strongly rumoured start in the Tour of Flanders next Sunday. More on that particular story very soon.

Meantime here's another very atmospheric shot of the sign-on, with Soudal-QuickStep waving to the crowd. West Flanders is the heartland for this team, so expectations will be high to see if 2017 and 2018 winner and local hero Yves Lampaert can roll back the years one more time.

Some bike changes needed in the neutralised section, including one for Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Van Aert's past history with Dwars door Vlaanderen is a chequered one, to say the least, with the massive crash and injuries back in 2024 followed by a second place last year after Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) managed to beat no less than three Visma-Lease a Bike riders to snatch the victory. So there's plenty of unfinished business there.

To read a full analysis of what went wrong last time round and how Visma plan to put it right in 2025, here's my colleague James Moultrie's deep dive into it all.
'We'll certainly not make that same mistake again' – Can Wout van Aert and Visma take revenge at Dwars door Vlaanderen a year on from three-against-one tactical blunder?

And racing in the 80th Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre ME (1.UWT) to give its full title and category is now officially underway

As soon as the flag drops, Spanish Pro Conti squad Burgos Burpellet BH, doing honour to their debut in Dwars Door Vlaanderen, launch the first attack of the day.

And wherever that particular break goes and whoever wins Dwars door Vlaanderen in five hours time, here's the big news of the day so far...
Remco Evenepoel will ride the Tour of Flanders in shock debut

Possibly a trending topic in Belgium right now...

172 kilometres to go

Peloton is all together for now

Meantime announcement of one DNS: Pinarello-Q36.5's Frederik Frison, never too far out of the action in the Belgian Classics, although in DDF he's not got a great track record, with his best placing of five 40th overall last year

We're 15 kilometres into DDV 2026 and as yet nobody is getting out of the peloton's clutches...when will the break of the day form?

No Belgian cobbled Classic worth its salt is lacking in climbs to pepper the route as well of course, and the first of the 12 in this year's edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen is the Hellestraat (1.3 km à 3.7%) at km 47.8 of the 184.6 kilometres that make up this year's race.

As expected, the news that Remco Evenepoel will ride the Tour of Flanders has sparked reaction from his rivals as they were about to start Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Some riders seemed to already jknow the news, others, including Wout Van Aert welcomed him.

"It is a surprise for all of us. But it is good news." Van Aert told VTM.

"If Remco starts, I assume he does so with a big goal. He is super strong in one-day races, so certainly a rider to watch out for. The Tour of Flanders deserves to have as many big names at the start as possible."

"Is it an April Fool’s joke? Jasper Philipsen asked.

"I kind of saw it coming. Those rumours were already circulating some time ago. It is good for the organization and the race. Remco is a contender, alongside Pogacar and Van der Poel."

150km to go

After 35km of racing and few attacks, the peloton is still together. Perhaps the Hellestraat climb that comes in 10km will spark the first major attack.

This the official map of today's men's race.

There is only a light, 10km/h breeze from the south-east today and so the wind is unlikely to be a factor.

Chute in the peloton. Several riders went down and Jenno Berkcmoes (Lotto Intermarché) has abandoned the race.

We're hearing that Dylan Teuns has also abandoned the race. That's blow for the Cofidis rider.

The peloton is lined out at speed.

The crash has raised the tension in the peloton. Jasper Philipsen and Wout van Aert need mechanical assistance from their team cars, while Jon Barrenetxea was the Movistar rider who went down.

130km to go

The Hellestraat didn't spark any action but other riders are in the team cars for assistance. The speed is high, with the average for the first hour confirmed at 49.3 km/h.

The Volkegemberg climb and the first taste of cobbles has awoken the peloton. We have an attack!

Four riders got away but a quick chase from the peloton brought them to heel. Gruppo compatto once again.

115km to go

Now Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE) and Alessandro Borgo (Bahrain-Victorious) try a move but the peloton is only ten or so seconds behind them.

This was the moment and place where Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE) made his attack.

Lidl-Trek took control of the peloton and quickly closed down the two-rider attack. They have Mads Pedersen and Jonathan Milan in the team today and are keen to take a big result after a difficult early-season.

Alpecin-Premier Tech are also aggressive and the peloton has split on the Berg Ten Houte climb. There is a front group of 18 riders. Race on!

The 18-rider attack includes sone big-name riders, including Brennan, Laporte, Magnier, Pedersen, Florian Vermeersch, Lund Andresen, and Abrahamsen. This is interesting.

100 kilometres to go

The elastic is slowly stretching as the 18-rider attack goes clear.

Ineos and Alpecin does not have any riders in the attack and so are leading the chase at high speed.

Ineos has five riders up front, with some help from Lotto and now Red Bull. The Visma riders are carefully following the moves. Brennan and Laporte are in the attack, with Van Aert in the peloton.

The riders hit the Knokteberg-Trieu (it climbs 1.1km à 7.9%), we can expect it to hurt and change the race.

Josh Tarling is doing the work for Ineos now. He was a late selection for the race but is in the action.

The peloton is lined out, in a race of pain, as the 18 attackers look at each other, then decide to push on. The gap is only 20 seconds.

Some riders are dropping out of the back, including Arnaud De Lie (Lotto).

85km to go

The Hotond climb is next up and the gap is falling as Alpecin lead the chase. Edward Planckaert jumps across the gap to give Alpecin a rider in the attack. Will they now go clear again?

80km to go

As expected, the peloton caught the 18 attackers, creating a front peloton of 50 or so riders. The attacks were controlled for the opening 100km but the pace is high, with an average of 49.2km/h.

After a section of cobbles, riders grab bidons, throw their gillet to team staff and keep racing hard in the lanes of the Flemish Ardennes.

Sam Watson of Ineos makes a surge and so Wout Van Aert also hits out.

He wants to force a selection here and is making everyone behind him suffer.

The chase group is at 30 seconds. They may be losing contact for good.

The riders will soon return to the Berg Ten Houte climb that split the peloton earlier. Van Aert's surge sparked a 14.rider move but the gap is down to 10 seconds. This is pure Flemish racing.

I wonder if Remco Evenepoel is watching and regretting his decision to ride Sunday's Tour of Flanders.

The race is back together but Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike) blows the peloton apart yet again. He is strong and a vital asset for Van Aert.

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!

Find out more.

The racing is ever-changing, with attacks, chasing and more attacks.

Former Australian rider and now a consultant with Red Bull, Allan Peiper was spotted on the climb of the Berg Ten Houte. G'day Allan!

The attacks are hurting the sprinters, who had hopes of a controlled race and fast finish. Arnaud De Lie was dropped earlier and both Tobias Lund Andresen and Jonathan Milan are in the chase group.

60km to go

We have a new attack on the fast main road. Alberto Bettiol (XDS-Astana) is amongst them.

The Rockets view from the roadside.

The eight-rider Bettiol group has a 10-second lead but the peloton of 50 or so riders is keeping them under control.

The Knokteberg-Trieu climb is coming up very soon.

Alpecin are leading the chase and setting a fast pace to protect Jasper Philipsen. As the kilometres and climbs tick down, he has more and more chance of success.

Wout Van Aert clearly does not want to and cannot wait for a sprint finish. He makes another surge to hurt the group.

Alpecin are playing a man to man marking strategy, with Tibor del Grosso chasing and marking him.

50km to go

We are about to start the final 50km or last hour of racing. Anything could still happen at this point as the rider climb the Hotond again. There is the Eikenberg in 10km but then roads flatten for the fast ride to the finish in Waregem. However, there are several cobbled sectors!

Filippo Ganna needs a bike change and chases as the riders hit the cobbles.

Grégoire, Gachignard, and Larsen are off the front but the big-names are cruelly letting them hang and suffer.

40km to go

The riders hit the Eikenberg cobbled climb. It's short but will hurt and could spark attacks.

Another problem for Ganna at the back of the group as Wout Van Aert goes on the attack.

WVA powers over the pave and is away alone, chasing the attackers.

Ganna has to change bikes after his cockpit loosened. His race is probably over.

WVA is up front with Grégoire and Larsen, while Gachignard was dropped on the climb. Perhaps this time he will want to finish alone, rather than risk anything in the sprint.

The trio cross the Schelde river and we time them with a lead of 20 seconds. Magnus Sheffield is trying to bridge the gap but is fading.

The peloton can see the WVA attack across the open Flemish fields but the gap is up to 35 seconds.

Sheffield has been joined by Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) but they are stuck in the middle and suffering.

30km to go

Wout Van Aert leads the trio on the cobbled sector, with Wout driving the pace on the dirt edge of the road. His speed hurts Larsen, who is distanced.

Here is Wout putting down the hurt.

Niklas Larsen (Unibet Rose Rockets) suffered on the cobbles but gets back on and is even doing a turn.

Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers) and Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) keep swapping turns but they are 25 seconds down on the WVA attack. The peloton is at 45 seconds but seem to lack the power and unity to form a chase.

There are few finer things in life than seeing Wout Van Aert race hard on the Wednesday before the Tour of Flanders

The riders hit the Nokereberg, cobbled climb and Wout Van Aert goes full gas once again.

WVA goes hard on the pave' after Romain Grégoire did a turn. The Frenchman is gapped and has blown his chances.

Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) joined Sheffield and van Dijke in a clever counter-attack but they are 23 second back, with 20km to race.

The peloton is at 45 seconds, with Mads Pedersen upping the pace, with Ganna on his wheel. The chase is still alive.

Like so often, Ganna has decided to use his power and speed to chase the attack.

Ganna's surge has closed down the Sheffield chase, with Soudal now riding on the front for Paul Magnier.

The peloton is lined out and the gap is down to 18 seconds as Van Aert and Larsen work together to try to stay away. Whatever the final result, both are 'winners' or sorts today.

10km to go

The peloton is 50-rider strong, with Soudal, Ineos and Lidl doing the work. Visma are trying to disrupt their work. This will be a close battle of Wout Van Aert (and Larsen) versus the (peloton) world.

As the road climbs gradually, Van Aert goes deeper and drops Larsen. WVA is going all-in! S**t or bust!

Van Aert is hurting himself but also hurting the sprinters and their domestiques. His rivals will think twice about their chances now.

7km to go

Van Aert is trying to time trial to the finish and to victory.

WVA hits the cobbles once again. Ganna launches an attack-chase. This is the moment to go!

Per Strand Hagenes is the perfect Visma teammate and sits on Ganna. Meanwhile the Flemish fans go crazy, cheering WVA to a possible victory.

4km to go

This will be very, very close.

Who is not cheering for Wout Van Aert after his defeat last year and his injuries of recent years?

Ganna sparks another chase.

Van Aert is in the streets of Waregem but Ganna and Vermeersch are closing the gap on him.

Last Kilometre

This is breathtaking. Van Aert is still clear but the peloton is closing the gap!

INside the last km. Ganna is chasing WVA!

Wout Van Aert is caught by Ganna with 100m to go!

Heart break for Wout Van Aert but glory for Ganna! The Italian went deep in pursuit mode and caught Van Aert inside the final 100 metres!

Ganna drinks and gaps for air, as Van Aert can't beleive he went so close to victory. What a race!

The TV replays replay Van Aert's agony. Ganna caught him and sprint past him to win with his arms in the air.

Filippo Ganna wins Dwars door Vlaanderen

That is Ganna's 39th career win but his first Classics win.

And this is the shot: Ganna's joy and Wout Van Aert's disappointment.

"Top Ganna did it perfectly," Mads Pedersen says post race.

Initial results confirms that Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) won the sprint for third, beating Biniam Girmay (NSN).

This image shows Van Aert's suffering as Ganna passes him.

Van Aert was beaten but showed he is ready for Sunday's Tour of Flanders.

Ganna was coughing after going deep to catch Van Aert but hew is now happy yo be on the top step of the podium.

Here is the podium (l-r): Wout Van Aert, Filippa Ganna and Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility)

Ganna spoke about his win.

"For sure Wout made an impressive performance," the Italian said sportingly.

"To catch him was not easy but in the end I did it at the finish line,so this is an amazing victory for me."

This was Ganna's third win of 2026.

"I think it is the most important one, especially here in the University of cycling. It's really nice to me." he said, talking of his lack of luck during the race.

"It was an impressive effort. All day I was with a little bit unlucky. In the first part on the first hill, I broke my front wheel and continued until I changed my bike and then I broke my handlebars. I hope all my bad luck was today"

Ganna talked about the Ineos tactics, how they chased down Van Aert and what this victroy means to him and Ineos.

"We had Magnus in the front, so we were covered," he said.

"I was feeling good, like I was in Ghent and so I tried to payback my teammates. Today, the team did an amazing job for me and I have given me massive support. I try to give back all support they gave me with this amazing victory."

"I'm really, really happy and this could be a good moral for the team for the next races."

Ganna celebrates beyond the finish line with teammate Sam Watson

Ganna also got a special prize on the podium. He was no donkey at this year's Dwars door Vlaanderen.

To read our full race report and see more great photographs from the race, click below.

Dwars door Vlaanderen: Filippo Ganna catches and passes Wout van Aert in closing metres to score dramatic last gasp victory

Matilda Price and James Moultrie are on the ground in Flanders for Cyclingnews, speaking to other riders and giving their insight and analysis of both the men's and women's races. Make sure to check their stories later in the day.

Today also sees the Women's Dwars door Vlaanderen, click below to follow the full live updates by Dan Challis.

Dwars door Vlaanderen Women LIVE

Thanks for joining our full live coverage of the men's Dwars door Vlaanderen race. It was a fast and furious affair, with lots of attacks and chasing, a show of force by Wout Van Aert and then Filippo Ganna's final winning effort.

Join us at the weekend for more live coverage of the biggest Classics. The Tour of Flanders, both me and women, is on Sunday and so it's going to be a huge Easter weekend.

We'll have all the action from before the start until after the podium celebrations.