The 110th edition of the Tour of Flanders or Ronde van Vlaanderen starts in Antwerp, after a one-year detour in Bruges in West Flanders. The City of Antwerp and organiser Flanders Classics presented the local programme on Monday. The one-day cycling race runs on Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026.
Cycling fans who want to see their favourite riders up close can head to the team presentation on the Grote Markt in the morning. The official start will once again take place on the Scheldt Quays near Steenplein. As in previous editions, the riders will first complete a loop through Antwerp’s city centre before heading towards the Flemish Ardennes. A large screen will also be installed at Mechelseplein, giving fans several locations across the city to follow the race.
The countdown to the race has now truly begun, with a clock on the start arch on the Scheldt Quays ticking down to Sunday 5 April at 10:00.
Top riders at the start
For the eighth time, Antwerp will host the start, welcoming the leading classics specialists from the WorldTour peloton. Particular attention will go to defending champion Tadej Pogacar. Three-time winner Mathieu van der Poel will be aiming for a record-breaking fourth victory, while crowd favourite Wout van Aert hopes to add his first Tour of Flanders title to his palmarès.
Warm welcome on the Grote Markt
Spectators hoping for a front-row view are advised to arrive at 8:15am at the main stage on the Grote Markt. Riders will travel from their team buses on the Scheldt Quays via a yellow carpet to the podium, set in the shadow of Antwerp’s city hall.
Presenters Linde Merckpoel and Max Vryens will introduce the teams. Each team selects its own entrance music, adding to the atmosphere. The presentation offers fans a close-up view of both riders and their bikes.
Start and ‘Tour of Antwerp’
At 10:00, Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA) and Alderman for Sports Stijn De Rooster (N-VA) will give the starting signal at the Scheldt Quays.
As in 2024, the riders will first complete a loop of Antwerp, allowing them to remain visible in the city for longer. The route runs along the Scheldt Quays towards Scheldestraat, passing the Zuidpark, and continues via Kronenburgstraat, Mechelseplein and Oudaan to the Meir. From there, the peloton heads via Operaplein and the Boulevards (Leien) to the Waaslandtunnel.
On the Left Bank or Linkeroever, kilometre zero marks the official start of the race, with Antwerp’s skyline as a backdrop.
Antwerp in Ronde colours
After missing out on hosting the start last year, the city is making an extra effort to mark the occasion. Alongside traditional posters and flags under the slogan “Allez, supporter mee!“, the Scheldt Quays will feature extensive race-themed decoration, including banners along the entire route.
Several Velo bike-sharing stations in the city centre will also be given a special look, highlighting the thousands of daily users who ride their own ‘Rondje Antwerpen‘.
In addition, the city will distribute supporter signs on which fans can write their own messages, adding to the atmosphere during the team presentation and the city loop.
A full day in the city
The riders are expected to leave Antwerp at around 10:30am, but the city will continue to offer plenty of activities. A large screen at Mechelseplein will broadcast the race live.
Fans can also follow the race in cycling bars such as Mombasa or Vitesse, or gather at Vosplein in Deurne.
As the race takes place on the first Sunday of the month, most shops will be open. Visitors can explore the city hall, enjoy food and drinks in local venues, cycle through the city or visit exhibitions such as ‘Magic Mirror on the Wall‘ at the DIVA museum or ‘The Antwerp Six‘ at MoMu.
Mobility and practical information
The start of an international cycling event will affect traffic in Antwerp. Disruptions and local parking measures will be in place on Saturday morning 4 April, during the amateur event ‘We Ride Flanders‘, and on Sunday morning 5 April.
Visitors are advised to come on foot, by (shared) bike or scooter, or by public transport. Park-and-ride facilities remain accessible and offer a convenient way to reach the start area.
Detailed accessibility, traffic and parking information is available via Smart Ways To Antwerp, while full practical details for the race weekend can be found on the official event website.
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