Belgium 07 May 2026 Class 1.2 – 1 day – Class 2
Website www.fleche-ardennaise.be
On Thursday, May 7, 2026, is indeed the day for the Flèche Ardennaise. Since we are currently in the middle of the race day, here is the updated breakdown of what’s happening on the ground in Stavelot:
2026 Race Overview
- Status: UCI Class 1.2 (Men’s Elite)
- Distance: 174.1 km
- Total Elevation: ~3,700 meters
- Key Climbs: The route features 17 categorized hills (côtes), making it one of the most grueling single-day races for Continental and U23 riders.
Why Today Matters
Because this is a 1.2 class race, it’s the “hunting ground” for future stars. Many of the young riders you see competing today in the Ardennes will likely be signed to WorldTour teams (like UAE Team Emirates or Visma-Lease a Bike) by next season.
The Course Profile
The race typically loops around Stavelot, taking the peloton through iconic Belgian scenery. Unlike the WorldTour’s Flèche Wallonne (which ended with the Mur de Huy back in April), the Flèche Ardennaise is defined by its constant “up and down” nature with almost no flat sections for recovery.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for live updates or the final podium results later today, the official site you mentioned (www.fleche-ardennaise.be) or the Belgian cycling portals like DirectVelo are usually the first to post the winner’s interview.
Since today is Thursday, May 7, 2026, the Flèche Ardennaise is currently underway. The startlist features some of the most promising young talents from the top development and continental teams.
Here are the key teams and notable riders starting today in Stavelot:
Notable Teams & Riders
| Team | Notable Starters |
| Lotto – Groupe Wanty | Milan Donie (Bib #1 – 2024 winner), Niels Driesen, Kamiel Eeman |
| Alpecin-Premier Tech Dev | Stefano Viezzi, Witse Meeussen, Jente Michels |
| INEOS Grenadiers Academy | Mattie Dodd, Nicolas Milesi, Max Hinds |
| Lidl-Trek Future Racing | Hector Alvarez, Andrea Bessega, Harry Hudson |
| Team Visma | Lease a Bike Dev | Patryk Goszczurny, Cedric Keppens, Elliot Rowe |
| Bahrain Victorious Dev | Santiago Basso, Leander De Gendt |
| Tudor Pro Cycling U23 | Jan Huber, Arthur Progin |
Full Team Lineups (Top Favorites)
- Lotto – Groupe Wanty: Carrying the #1 bib with Milan Donie, who is a major favorite given his history with this race.
- Development Team Picnic PostNL: Keep an eye on Pavel Sumpík and Matthew Peace.
- AARCO: Features local talent like Maxence Place and Victor Hannes.
- NSN Development Team: Includes the promising Patrick Casey and Enrique Maranchon.
Race Profile Reminder
The riders are currently tackling a 174.1 km course starting and ending in Stavelot. With 17 categorized climbs and over 3,500m of elevation gain, the startlist will likely be whittled down to a very small group by the time they hit the final climbs like the Côte du Stockeu.
Note: If you are looking for live timing, the official site typically updates the “Live” section as the peloton hits the major checkpoints in the final 50km.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Here are the Luxembourgish riders to watch on today’s startlist:
Featured Luxembourgish Riders
- Arnaud Noirhomme (Color Code – Alu Center): Listed as a reserve/starter for the Color Code squad, he is a frequent competitor in these 1.2 class races.
Why some are missing today
You might notice a few big Luxembourgish names missing from today’s specific startlist. This is because the National Team (Team Lëtzebuerg) is currently split across two major events:
- Course de la Paix (Czech Republic): The Junior national team (including Dave Cichy and Ben Koenig) is competing there from May 7–10.
- Flèche du Sud (Luxembourg): Most of the Elite and U23 Luxembourgish riders (like Flavio Astolfi and Alex Kerrens) are peaking for their “home” race, which begins in just six days on May 13.
The “Luxembourg Connection” in the Staff
- Pit Leyder: The former pro is active today as a Directeur Sportif for the Tirol KTM Cycling Team, guiding their young squad through the Ardennes.
