{"id":1872219,"date":"2026-04-08T10:11:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T07:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1872219"},"modified":"2026-04-08T10:11:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T07:11:34","slug":"scheldeprijs-men-live-the-sprinters-teams-prepare-for-a-high-speed-sprint-showdown-in-schoten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1872219","title":{"rendered":"Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: The sprinters&#8217; teams prepare for a high-speed sprint showdown in Schoten"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCk5UQAa7vbUnh3qTS6x3e-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nlive-article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nScheldeprijs\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: The sprinters&#8217; teams prepare for a high-speed sprint showdown in Schoten<\/h1>\n<h2>Elite men race 205km from Terneuzen into Schoten in mid-week Classic<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"byline\">\nLive-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\">\n<span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\nlast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:53:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n8 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/scheldeprijs-men-live-tim-merlier-is-back-but-so-are-his-big-name-sprint-rivals\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:--comment-count-text-color,inherit]\"><span>0<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comments<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:--comment-count-text-color,inherit] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCk5UQAa7vbUnh3qTS6x3e.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 113th Scheldeprijs 2025\" class=\"block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\">\n<span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Race Situation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Official start<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>185km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>170km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>140km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>122km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>100km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>75km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>70km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>60km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>50km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a5ddf4b7-4190-4f91-a374-892d3c34bb39\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9drSt3kv3VjT8si7Ct8wCY.png\" alt=\"Scheldeprijs Men 2026 - Profile\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Scheldeprijs Men 2026 &#8211; Profile <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Scheldeprijs Men 2026)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b138b1-9edb-436b-af1c-01f569112004\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Gruppo compatto.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div class=\"button wcp-live-feed-reload\">Refresh <i class=\"fa fa-refresh\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:53:42+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:53:42.598Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7363c723-2177-4c5a-88b2-1f1298cf8360\">Two laps and 33km to go!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:50:25+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:50:25.868Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-23a63a36-28e3-4f55-8fcf-afcbf7a2b101\">The break has split as they are about to be caught. Behind the sprint teams are fighting for position. Every surge to move up is a big effort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:49:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:49:24.228Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fb67a102-8560-4993-ad4b-274d893818f1\">Unibet are ready to ride for Dylan Groenewegen. It wohld be a huge win for him and the innovative team.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2041885483291025451\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today\u2019s view at Scheldeprijs. \ud83d\udc40\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea #scheldeprijs pic.twitter.com\/bhpON5l3wJApril 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:45:11+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:45:11.992Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8d0e6b3-cbfa-4ffe-bb4a-12c8087350c5\">The riders are back on the Broekstraat and Lidl-Trek are active on the front. Though it&#8217;s not clear if they are attacking or trying to line-out the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Whatever it is cutting into the lead of the break.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:39:49+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:39:49.528Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-768429a6-adba-4093-8320-bab406d7c1df\">Now Soudal, Jayco and Lotto are lined out across the road in formation. The speed is up and rising.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:38:59+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:38:59.892Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f5937071-95e3-4069-9748-f3c909141b29\">Lidl-Trek are also positioning for the final, with Hector Alvarez jumping off the front to slot back into the position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:34:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:34:47.415Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60e672ed-374f-46bf-8851-f201190ffc94\">Jasper Philipsen suffered a rear wheel flat just before passing the finish area. He opted for a wheel change rather than a faster full bike change. He is quickly paced by Alpecin teammates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:32:52+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:32:52.909Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d79ffe3e-0c04-42a8-afad-7bdade8dd036\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-d79ffe3e-0c04-42a8-afad-7bdade8dd036-2\"><strong>Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:32:15+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:32:15.172Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-50km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-50km-to-go\"><span>50km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9494c661-d289-4ca9-88d8-fa39ce111008\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders pass through the finish area in Schoten, the break leads the peloton by just 50 seconds now. The riders get to see how the finish gradually bends to the left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:26:46+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:26:46.211Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7f239683-3bd6-4d83-8e1e-152354b08583\">The riders now ride alongside the huge Schelde river, speeding along faster the long canal boats that carry goods up and down the river.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:25:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:25:24.219Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d3519be-c084-485e-bf6d-1bafca38a315\">Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello) drops his chain on the cobbles. He was third last year but now has to chase to rejoin the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:22:55+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:22:55.851Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-771bb0c3-71fc-42e6-a196-4ec7a3f4d2ec\">The break hits the 1.7km long Broekstraat cobbled sector. This will crank-up the tension a bit more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:19:20+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:19:20.707Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-60km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-60km-to-go\"><span>60km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-640363a5-52be-4349-8222-a55bf9f4b65c\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders cover the first short sector of cobbles as they near Schoten. Alpecin have wisely moved to the front as the pace rises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The break is just 1:10 ahead now.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:14:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:14:12.293Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3fb3cb56-6d82-4b4b-8eea-340d74db1c72\">Some breaking news: Isaac del Toro crashed hard at Itzulia Basque Country and has been forced to abandon the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Isaac del Toro abandons Itzulia Basque Country after crash early on stage 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d948eb8a-b6d0-4ff3-be24-5a74d25a4e82\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dsghfAcUvKSwYuytTPkkRA.jpg\" alt=\"Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 65th Itzulia Basque Country\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:08:10+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:08:10.755Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-70km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-70km-to-go\"><span>70km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-82312c48-4b7d-4069-a9a2-4023527cd91f\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) are still working smoothly but they know the peloton is closing them down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:04:09+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:04:09.476Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-49ceca12-a622-4dcb-86f9-ab49db848652\">We can also see Alpecin riders lined-out together, riding for Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:01:08+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:01:08.546Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-75km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-75km-to-go\"><span>75km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8801dced-c3ff-4b2e-afbe-68b110036502\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The peloton is rising with more gusto now, with the same single riders from Unibet, Soudal and Picnic doing turns on the front. The Tudor team are tucked in behind them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The gap to the peloton is down to 2:00 and falling.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:55:48+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:55:48.972Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9777933-a870-4446-a2df-7aa7c8cf9eac\">The average speed for the first hour of racing was 43km\/h, indicating the controlled racing and the headwind in Zeeland. We expected the speed to rise more and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:47:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:47:47.433Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6f5892-c368-467a-88af-8fd099806246\">The crowds are already out in the finish area of Schoten after seeing the women&#8217;s race. They are now enjoying dome frites and a beer. The riders pass the finish line for the first time with 50km to go and cover three and half lap of the 17km circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:40:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:40:40.916Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a1844ec2-b0cc-4f2c-8232-5119bf166f21\">Scheldeprijs sits between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. This special feature by Matilda Price and James Moultrie looks back to the Rnde and forward to the Hell of the North.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix \u2013 The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s chances<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0b008e1d-5475-4b51-9cb7-aa840d49a925\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9yfQ9LsrUASDQkVuHxvzA5.jpg\" alt=\"OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: (L-R) Demi Vollering of Netherlands and Team FDJ United - SUEZ and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at podium as race winners during the 23rd Tour of Flanders 2026 - Ronde van Vlaandere - Women&amp;amp;amp;apos;s Elite a 164.1km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde \/ #UCIWWT \/ on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:32:10+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:32:10.600Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-100km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-100km-to-go\"><span>100km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5ae8d709-f4ad-431f-bb31-f5e9214d5887\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders are gradually heading towards Antwerp and then Schoten but the pace is steady because there is a slight head wind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">We expect more action and then a crescendo finale on the three 17km loops of Schoten.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:12:58+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:12:58.433Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b749930d-afe8-4d28-9441-b4094190ed47\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) are still clear of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Their lead is pegged at 2:20.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:05:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:05:54.461Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-122km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-122km-to-go\"><span>122km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d943f9d6-fac6-4ca4-b730-ae758fc3d77d\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The break and the peloton have passed into Belgium after the opening 70km or so in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:00:35+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:00:35.628Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60c06ae2-dc8e-4b9d-8578-5d03128a8c25\">The women&#8217;s Scheldeprijs has just ended but we will not spoiler it for you. Check out our live coverage and then full report for all the details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:51+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:51.931Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bcfccb79-ba5f-4561-b503-65b144c0f2fa\">And the peloton lined out.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c3d6d6de-1988-4c49-887c-773b4cc97bb4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ARr7sYN6WX8dZ7yNkqiXQE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:32+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:32.313Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e0c3217a-da92-4b02-b5dd-242a5d614a77\">We can see who is chasing the break.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b2570eb4-6167-40b9-b22b-04364f65e07f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PrsSwuGuBLrBYFCSN7fAUE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:07+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:07.203Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8f53cd25-1835-4f7a-a9d4-1dcd3087be73\">We have more great pics of the peloton at speed.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a0151842-e14e-4359-b876-c890bb9cec0e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG96qhuZB6r96dgGHKb6VE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:46:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:46:54.129Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8a07de88-320a-49e3-8047-ed56d647ea1f\">Jasper Philipsen has won Scheldeprijs twice and wants a third victory. However he revealed to Nieuwsblad that is struggling to get over a cold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I really want to win. Every race is important, so today is too. The Scheldeprijs is an absolute top race for a sprinter,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully, we will see a nice mass sprint at the end. Dylan Groenewegen is in a winning flow. Tim Merlier is returning from injury, but given the weather conditions, I don&#8217;t expect a tough race. That will also work to his advantage.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019ve had a cold since Milan-San Remo and I\u2019m having trouble getting rid of it. It\u2019s not that it has much impact on how I feel on the bike.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bdefc407-fe43-4a9d-be3e-c0c7e6f3f2bf\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MFPbfu5ZMVotBJshvezSrb.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured at the start of the men&amp;#039;s race of the Scheldeprijs.\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:42:19+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:42:19.695Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8bd023b9-c768-4afc-add9-b5fe841b3a11\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The attackers have lost 10 seconds as the elastic stretches and then tightens as the peloton keeps them under control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:33:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:33:40.408Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2323511b-2262-41f6-ac4d-1b8c8fdb4e0b\">Merlier&#8217;s rivals expect him to be a threat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;With Tim, we have to wait and see, but you can never write him off. I expect him today as well,&#8221; said Jordi Meeus.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-2323511b-2262-41f6-ac4d-1b8c8fdb4e0b-2\">&#8220;Merlier is returning from injury, but given the weather conditions, I don&#8217;t expect a tough race. That will work to his advantage,&#8221; Japser Philipsen told Sporza.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:30:41+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:30:41.504Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8fb8bd2-a592-4325-b817-24b4e7e9bb0e\">Tim Merlier no longer has knee pain but is still working on his form and sprinting speed. Yet he should not be ruled out in the sprint.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t expect to still be participating in this race,&#8221; the 2024 and 2025 winner told Sporza at the start.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-b8fb8bd2-a592-4325-b817-24b4e7e9bb0e-2\">&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be myself if I didn&#8217;t expect a result. I&#8217;m hoping for a podium finish, but if things go 110 percent right&#8230; why not?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m starting with that ambition. I need to convey that to my teammates so they are willing to do the work 110 percent for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:21:53+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:21:53.305Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-596c1843-a8b2-40b4-b212-c06f24f01ec6\">Picnic PostNL are helping Unibet and Soudal with the chase, putting a rider on the front too. They are surely working for Pavel Bittner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:18:13+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:18:13.033Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1665c565-ecc7-4c96-b072-2f4f0335a6d3\">Our live coverage from the Basque Country is also underway. It&#8217;s a great day of racing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Itzulia Basque Country stage 3 LIVE: Paul Seixas defends yellow on punchy day in the Basque Country<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:16:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:16:40.050Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-71276395-6967-4151-991c-4dd044d04145\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) have extended their lead to 2:40 as Soudal and Unibet lead the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:07:34+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:07:34.593Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d2790bc2-cae4-4431-8b0b-0bd80b548b6a\">The flat, straight roads of Zeeland.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-83ffbf68-090a-4d0c-96b8-9e57ca0f468e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gNE9XFqE2LGFZq3J5kZkKQ.jpg\" alt=\"The pack of riders pictured in action during the men&amp;#039;s race of the &amp;#039;Scheldeprijs&amp;#039; one day cycling event\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:06:39+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:06:39.522Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6cd28fa3-e52c-4543-b518-f90189178173\">It&#8217;s lined out in the peloton but not too fast, for now.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0ca13600-0853-4249-a7ce-47cf6a6404dd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMr9VXdptotkR7TEP4LvAH.jpg\" alt=\"The men&amp;#039;s Scheldeprijs peloton\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:05:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:05:12.842Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6a34b6ad-c14a-48a7-aa36-89e4dde52505\">We have the first race shots from our photographers out on the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This was the first attack in the tunnel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e895437c-46e2-4fa0-a599-e831b82fc93b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFiTo4AjEMRR9XdjmceHe8.jpg\" alt=\"American Robin Carpenter of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, Dutch Nat Joost of BEAT Cycling Club p\/b Saxo and American Jonah Killy of Tarteletto-Isorex\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:55:31+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:55:31.417Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-170km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-170km-to-go\"><span>170km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6fbaa031-a993-4c88-8f94-51095387ad54\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The six attackers are working smoothly together off the front but the peloton is holding them at 2:30. We can experct a game of cat and mouse on the ride to Schoten.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:47:42+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:47:42.297Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f927f59e-e590-4a5c-9715-95e2a173a10d\">According to our colleagues at Wielerflits, the Scheldeprijs riders were warned about riding through any level crossing during today&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">According to reports in Belgium, the East Flanders Public Prosecutor&#8217;s Office has identified 54 riders who could face sanctions, including fines and driving bans after they dived through a level crossing early on in Sunday&#8217;s Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-f927f59e-e590-4a5c-9715-95e2a173a10d-2\">This is our story on the matter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Investigation identifies 54 riders as skipping level crossing red signal at Tour of Flanders<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5d9ce250-1aa4-4f1f-a922-755f1c7a5403\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ob57nMfooPWW2XCPbYC97D.jpg\" alt=\"OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: The peloton stopped due to a train crossing the route during the 110th Tour of Flanders - Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026 - Men&amp;amp;amp;apos;s Elite a 278.6km one day race from Antwerp to Oudenaarde \/ #UCIWT \/ on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:38:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:38:12.763Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-185km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-185km-to-go\"><span>185km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-93054752-2698-48ff-8c8d-0f4b243821e0\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders are on the exposed Zeeland roads but instead of cross winds blowing from the North Sea, the weather is warm, sunny and with only a slight breeze. It&#8217;s a lovely day for a bike ride and a bike race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:33:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:33:24.980Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-08b57c59-711d-4107-a483-bf95b37b550e\">Soudal and Unibet are leading the peloton but they are happy to let thew break go clear and gain a few minutes, but they will ride to keep them under control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The gap is already 2:30.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:28:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:28:47.848Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-02e2be85-0dee-492a-8e36-b089305ffbf2\">In the dark of the tunnel, three other riders have jonied the attack to create a move of six riders. Also off the front are Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">They have a gap of 30 seconds.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:23:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:23:54.847Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7667b086-6fe7-4c7f-9d8a-3dc3c2a2bcee\">The race has dived into the Westerscheldetunnel that passes under the sea and takes the race to the Zeeland area of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">It is cycling&#8217;s equivalent of the dark side of the Moon.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:16:51+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:16:51.743Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1266f65e-8c9c-4993-a56e-494e800a3509\">The trio have a gap but the peloton is chasing them. Race on!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:14:44+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:14:44.527Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9c616148-729f-47d6-8204-943442940f08\">&#8220;All the best guys for this race today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2041835585648664737\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The men left Terneuzen for a journey of 205 km through Zeeland towards Schoten! \ud83d\ude80 #SP26 #SPmen pic.twitter.com\/qWRcaAJoa2April 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:13:27+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:13:27.306Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c05af7c8-bacf-4c88-9dca-6a696c97379d\">We imediately have the first attack: Americans Robin Carpenter and Jonah Killy, plus Dutchman Joost Nat make the first move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:11:43+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:11:43.328Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9ce32159-4263-4289-98e0-6dfa429c0f96\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">They&#8217;re off!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:09:29+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:09:29.550Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-30487865-d2ee-4310-aae8-5002f2a8a35e\">A minute&#8217;s silence was held in Terneuzen in memory of Piet De Smet, the former chairman of the Scheldeprijs organisers, who passed away last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:08:38+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:08:38.390Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-028752e2-d8d7-4abd-8f50-f630dbe69cb5\">&#8220;I feel a bit at home, especially later at the finish in Schoten,&#8221; Kittel told Sporza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I have wonderful memories. It was also the end of my career, because I unknowingly rode my last race as a pro here. It is great to return with the Rockets.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-028752e2-d8d7-4abd-8f50-f630dbe69cb5-2\">&#8220;The last circuit in Schoten is always hectic. There is little room to move forward. You have to choose your moments as a team, you have to do it together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kittel will be in the Unibet team car today.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I still feel involved in these races as a rider. It is an intense experience, and as an athlete, I found that the most beautiful thing of all. I hope we can experience those emotions again today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:05:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:05:54.182Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bed75a39-05fc-45eb-bedc-e11b56db20f7\">Marcel Kittel is known as &#8220;Mister Scheldeprijs&#8221; after winning the race five times. Now he is the sprint coach sat Unibet, helping Groenewegen and his lead out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I feel a bit at home,&#8221; he said before the start. His tactical message to his riders: &#8220;Stay calm and then do your thing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d22379ce-8ccb-4686-afd0-6c994c5f4e64\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDeNCUQxpZF6rYF9exNSVT.jpg\" alt=\"Marcel Kittel joins Unibet Rose Rockets for the 2026 season as a sprint coach.\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Unibet Rose Rockets)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:58:56+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:58:56.789Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-919deb93-ce85-44c3-a375-17624f6d7054\">Dylan Groenwegen (Unibet Rose Rockets), has won four sprints already in 2026 and is hoping for to add a cherry to his cake of spring success.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;The Spring season has already been a success, so in that respect it doesn&#8217;t matter much. Of course, it would be a nice cherry on top of the cake,&#8221; he told HLN at the sign-on podium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Anything is possible, but the weather is very nice today. The wind won&#8217;t really cause any crazy things today, but of course you never know what other teams want. So always stay alert!&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-de747102-4919-4db5-9cad-e1473d274800\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH.jpg\" alt=\"ROESELARE - MARCH 22: Dylan Groenewegen of Netherlands and Team Unibet Rose Rockets celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 15th Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monsere 2026 a 202.5km one day race from Torhout to Roeselare on March 22, 2026 in Roeselare, Italy. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:57:05+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:57:05.590Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-58561b9b-38cc-44a6-885d-6e4688f6848d\">The riders will roll out of Terneuzen when the church bell strikes 1pm local time. They then face a 4km neutralised sector before the race starts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:51:52+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:51:52.661Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-02fa2cd7-f82b-45a7-b546-a824b299fc6e\">It&#8217;s another busy day of racing but as always, Cyclingnews has you covered. Today is stage 3 of the Itzulia Basque Country as Paul Seixas continues to dominate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The women&#8217;s Scheldeprijs is already underway and you can follow all the action via our live updates. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) won the 2025 Scheldeprijs Women race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Scheldeprijs Women LIVE: Can anyone prevent a bunch sprint, or will the fast women take the honours again?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bf5bb6b3-d3b8-457f-bcf6-9ff2db4b68b1\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cduvyUwWQQLdN9jjoSSPgJ.jpg\" alt=\"SCHOTEN, BELGIUM - APRIL 09: Elisa Balsamo of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 5th Scheldeprijs 2025, Women&amp;#039;s Elite a 130.3km one day race from Schoten to Schoten on April 09, 2025 in Schoten, Belgium. (Photo by Rhode Van Elsen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:44:06+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:44:06.535Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7d1ce32b-e12c-4c55-9383-74e97cf7ce13\">Tim Merlier has only ridden one race due to his injuries, finishing 19th in the Grote prijs Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 on March 19. He has trained since then but is still working to find his best form.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My shape is getting better and better, so I look forward to being there. I would love to be in the mix for a good result, but I know it won\u2019t be easy, because others are in better form,&#8221; he said via his Soudal team recently.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nevertheless, I will give my best, like I always do, and we\u2019ll see what I\u2019ll achieve at the end of the day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-88672869-a3bf-400d-95b9-7fea274d9c0b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQNpwmAMJ7jdkaY539HMVf.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 93rd Baloise Belgium Tour 2024, Stage 2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:39:53+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:39:53.577Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c907edd2-52b2-4f25-b417-1ba55e5e323a\">Other sprinters we will be watching for include Jordi Meeus (Red Bull), Britain&#8217;s Robert Donaldson (Jayco-Alula), Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet), Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello-Q36.5), Hugo Hofstetter (NSN) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:36:03+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:36:03.514Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-efdbb8ff-5d8e-4326-a478-5aa4b5cb956d\">Tim Merlier wears race number 1 as the previous winner. However due to his injuries in the early and pre-season, he is not the favourite to win the sprint. That title perhaps goes to Jasper Philipsen, the rider Merlier beat in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:33:55+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:33:55.284Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f6b1552d-5e88-42a6-a7ac-3d3eba4a1e2e\">The riders are currently signing on in the sun in Terneuzen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:31:38+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:31:38.225Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a2c01a1e-89c3-4e9f-ac3a-4a47b000b90d\">The 2025 Scheldeprijs was a classic edition, with an early break, a fast chase, attacks and then the thrilling sprint finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Look back over the 2025 via our race report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Scheldeprijs: Tim Merlier beats Jasper Philipsen by a bike length in crash-marred final to win second year in a row<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4be07a3a-b30c-471a-bbed-086110f5206e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5w4wxRt8NcEcHBpDPWroiF.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck, Belgian Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step and Italian Matteo Moschetti of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team pictured on the podium after the men&amp;#039;s race\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:25:33+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:25:33.977Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-97c0f073-db3e-4a1c-8bee-4bad3550acda\">The riders cover the circuit three times before the expected high-speed, high-stakes sprint finish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:24:32+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:24:32.521Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f416b0bb-b39f-4669-a5aa-7f5333290737\">With 140 kilometres of flat racing to go, the riders reach the Belgian border in Essen, near Antwerp. Then heads south to Schoten to begin the 16.9km finishing circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:22:30+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:22:30.930Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-365bfb96-0efb-4403-a075-e2b043470f4d\">As the map shows, the race starts in the Dutch town of Terneuzen, close to the Belgian border. The riders pass through the Westerscheldetunnel and then cover some exposed roads in the Netherlands before riding east.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:19:02+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:19:02.449Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-30f79425-88b2-40c1-8e52-38af6b9bcc6d\">This is the map of the race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-439d2f31-85af-4fa9-a5f9-887c3353a202\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NfitRguCfhesEc6GFPJTtH.png\" alt=\"The map of the 2026 Scheldeprijs men\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Flanders classics)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:14:14+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:14:14.781Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-32efe135-5cd7-4259-a7e8-ab2f29788f3e\">It&#8217;s only April 8 but spring has sprung in nothern Europe, with temperatures of 18C and little forecast for the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:11:27+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:11:27.884Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-555fd25c-ca46-4bbb-b66e-35ae0bca8311\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Scheldeprijs men&#8217;s race. This is the sprinters&#8217; Classics but should be another day of great racing.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mid-article-leaderboard\" class=\"ad-unit sm:hidden block\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-[--truncate-height] sm:h-[--truncate-desktop-height] overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div 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Vernon sweeps up a second victory in as many days\" class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Pays de la Loire Tour stage 2: Ethan Vernon snaps up a second straight bunch sprint win<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Isaac del Toro abandons Itzulia Basque Country after crash early on stage 3<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar, and beyond \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Scheldeprijs Women: Charlotte Kool sprints to victory in crash-marred final<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">R\u00e9gion Pays de la Loire Tour-F\u00e9minin: Amalie Dideriksen ends three-year drought on wins with bunch sprint victory<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nScheldeprijs\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: The sprinters&#8217; teams prepare for a high-speed sprint showdown in Schoten<\/h1>\n<h2>Elite men race 205km from Terneuzen into Schoten in mid-week Classic<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"byline\">\nLive-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\">\n<span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\nlast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:53:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n8 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/scheldeprijs-men-live-tim-merlier-is-back-but-so-are-his-big-name-sprint-rivals\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:--comment-count-text-color,inherit]\"><span>0<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comments<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:--comment-count-text-color,inherit] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCk5UQAa7vbUnh3qTS6x3e.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 113th Scheldeprijs 2025\" class=\"block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nScheldeprijs\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: The sprinters&#8217; teams prepare for a high-speed sprint showdown in Schoten<\/h1>\n<h2>Elite men race 205km from Terneuzen into Schoten in mid-week Classic<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"byline\">\nLive-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\">\n<span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\nlast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:53:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n8 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/scheldeprijs-men-live-tim-merlier-is-back-but-so-are-his-big-name-sprint-rivals\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:--comment-count-text-color,inherit]\"><span>0<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comments<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:--comment-count-text-color,inherit] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCk5UQAa7vbUnh3qTS6x3e.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 113th Scheldeprijs 2025\" class=\"block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a5ddf4b7-4190-4f91-a374-892d3c34bb39\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9drSt3kv3VjT8si7Ct8wCY.png\" alt=\"Scheldeprijs Men 2026 - Profile\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Scheldeprijs Men 2026 &#8211; Profile <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Scheldeprijs Men 2026)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b138b1-9edb-436b-af1c-01f569112004\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Gruppo compatto.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div class=\"button wcp-live-feed-reload\">Refresh <i class=\"fa fa-refresh\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:53:42+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:53:42.598Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7363c723-2177-4c5a-88b2-1f1298cf8360\">Two laps and 33km to go!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:50:25+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:50:25.868Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-23a63a36-28e3-4f55-8fcf-afcbf7a2b101\">The break has split as they are about to be caught. Behind the sprint teams are fighting for position. Every surge to move up is a big effort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:49:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:49:24.228Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fb67a102-8560-4993-ad4b-274d893818f1\">Unibet are ready to ride for Dylan Groenewegen. It wohld be a huge win for him and the innovative team.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2041885483291025451\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today\u2019s view at Scheldeprijs. \ud83d\udc40\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea #scheldeprijs pic.twitter.com\/bhpON5l3wJApril 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:45:11+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:45:11.992Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8d0e6b3-cbfa-4ffe-bb4a-12c8087350c5\">The riders are back on the Broekstraat and Lidl-Trek are active on the front. Though it&#8217;s not clear if they are attacking or trying to line-out the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Whatever it is cutting into the lead of the break.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:39:49+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:39:49.528Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-768429a6-adba-4093-8320-bab406d7c1df\">Now Soudal, Jayco and Lotto are lined out across the road in formation. The speed is up and rising.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:38:59+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:38:59.892Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f5937071-95e3-4069-9748-f3c909141b29\">Lidl-Trek are also positioning for the final, with Hector Alvarez jumping off the front to slot back into the position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:34:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:34:47.415Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60e672ed-374f-46bf-8851-f201190ffc94\">Jasper Philipsen suffered a rear wheel flat just before passing the finish area. He opted for a wheel change rather than a faster full bike change. He is quickly paced by Alpecin teammates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:32:52+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:32:52.909Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d79ffe3e-0c04-42a8-afad-7bdade8dd036\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-d79ffe3e-0c04-42a8-afad-7bdade8dd036-2\"><strong>Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:32:15+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:32:15.172Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-50km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-50km-to-go\"><span>50km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9494c661-d289-4ca9-88d8-fa39ce111008\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders pass through the finish area in Schoten, the break leads the peloton by just 50 seconds now. The riders get to see how the finish gradually bends to the left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:26:46+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:26:46.211Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7f239683-3bd6-4d83-8e1e-152354b08583\">The riders now ride alongside the huge Schelde river, speeding along faster the long canal boats that carry goods up and down the river.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:25:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:25:24.219Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d3519be-c084-485e-bf6d-1bafca38a315\">Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello) drops his chain on the cobbles. He was third last year but now has to chase to rejoin the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:22:55+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:22:55.851Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-771bb0c3-71fc-42e6-a196-4ec7a3f4d2ec\">The break hits the 1.7km long Broekstraat cobbled sector. This will crank-up the tension a bit more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:19:20+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:19:20.707Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-60km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-60km-to-go\"><span>60km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-640363a5-52be-4349-8222-a55bf9f4b65c\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders cover the first short sector of cobbles as they near Schoten. Alpecin have wisely moved to the front as the pace rises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The break is just 1:10 ahead now.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:14:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:14:12.293Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3fb3cb56-6d82-4b4b-8eea-340d74db1c72\">Some breaking news: Isaac del Toro crashed hard at Itzulia Basque Country and has been forced to abandon the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Isaac del Toro abandons Itzulia Basque Country after crash early on stage 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d948eb8a-b6d0-4ff3-be24-5a74d25a4e82\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dsghfAcUvKSwYuytTPkkRA.jpg\" alt=\"Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 65th Itzulia Basque Country\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:08:10+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:08:10.755Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-70km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-70km-to-go\"><span>70km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-82312c48-4b7d-4069-a9a2-4023527cd91f\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) are still working smoothly but they know the peloton is closing them down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:04:09+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:04:09.476Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-49ceca12-a622-4dcb-86f9-ab49db848652\">We can also see Alpecin riders lined-out together, riding for Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:01:08+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:01:08.546Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-75km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-75km-to-go\"><span>75km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8801dced-c3ff-4b2e-afbe-68b110036502\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The peloton is rising with more gusto now, with the same single riders from Unibet, Soudal and Picnic doing turns on the front. The Tudor team are tucked in behind them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The gap to the peloton is down to 2:00 and falling.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:55:48+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:55:48.972Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9777933-a870-4446-a2df-7aa7c8cf9eac\">The average speed for the first hour of racing was 43km\/h, indicating the controlled racing and the headwind in Zeeland. We expected the speed to rise more and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:47:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:47:47.433Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6f5892-c368-467a-88af-8fd099806246\">The crowds are already out in the finish area of Schoten after seeing the women&#8217;s race. They are now enjoying dome frites and a beer. The riders pass the finish line for the first time with 50km to go and cover three and half lap of the 17km circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:40:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:40:40.916Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a1844ec2-b0cc-4f2c-8232-5119bf166f21\">Scheldeprijs sits between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. This special feature by Matilda Price and James Moultrie looks back to the Rnde and forward to the Hell of the North.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix \u2013 The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s chances<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0b008e1d-5475-4b51-9cb7-aa840d49a925\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9yfQ9LsrUASDQkVuHxvzA5.jpg\" alt=\"OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: (L-R) Demi Vollering of Netherlands and Team FDJ United - SUEZ and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at podium as race winners during the 23rd Tour of Flanders 2026 - Ronde van Vlaandere - Women&amp;amp;amp;apos;s Elite a 164.1km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde \/ #UCIWWT \/ on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:32:10+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:32:10.600Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-100km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-100km-to-go\"><span>100km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5ae8d709-f4ad-431f-bb31-f5e9214d5887\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders are gradually heading towards Antwerp and then Schoten but the pace is steady because there is a slight head wind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">We expect more action and then a crescendo finale on the three 17km loops of Schoten.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:12:58+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:12:58.433Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b749930d-afe8-4d28-9441-b4094190ed47\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) are still clear of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Their lead is pegged at 2:20.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:05:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:05:54.461Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-122km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-122km-to-go\"><span>122km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d943f9d6-fac6-4ca4-b730-ae758fc3d77d\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The break and the peloton have passed into Belgium after the opening 70km or so in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:00:35+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:00:35.628Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60c06ae2-dc8e-4b9d-8578-5d03128a8c25\">The women&#8217;s Scheldeprijs has just ended but we will not spoiler it for you. Check out our live coverage and then full report for all the details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:51+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:51.931Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bcfccb79-ba5f-4561-b503-65b144c0f2fa\">And the peloton lined out.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c3d6d6de-1988-4c49-887c-773b4cc97bb4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ARr7sYN6WX8dZ7yNkqiXQE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:32+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:32.313Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e0c3217a-da92-4b02-b5dd-242a5d614a77\">We can see who is chasing the break.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b2570eb4-6167-40b9-b22b-04364f65e07f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PrsSwuGuBLrBYFCSN7fAUE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:07+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:07.203Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8f53cd25-1835-4f7a-a9d4-1dcd3087be73\">We have more great pics of the peloton at speed.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a0151842-e14e-4359-b876-c890bb9cec0e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG96qhuZB6r96dgGHKb6VE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:46:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:46:54.129Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8a07de88-320a-49e3-8047-ed56d647ea1f\">Jasper Philipsen has won Scheldeprijs twice and wants a third victory. However he revealed to Nieuwsblad that is struggling to get over a cold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I really want to win. Every race is important, so today is too. The Scheldeprijs is an absolute top race for a sprinter,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully, we will see a nice mass sprint at the end. Dylan Groenewegen is in a winning flow. Tim Merlier is returning from injury, but given the weather conditions, I don&#8217;t expect a tough race. That will also work to his advantage.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019ve had a cold since Milan-San Remo and I\u2019m having trouble getting rid of it. It\u2019s not that it has much impact on how I feel on the bike.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bdefc407-fe43-4a9d-be3e-c0c7e6f3f2bf\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MFPbfu5ZMVotBJshvezSrb.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured at the start of the men&amp;#039;s race of the Scheldeprijs.\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:42:19+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:42:19.695Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8bd023b9-c768-4afc-add9-b5fe841b3a11\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The attackers have lost 10 seconds as the elastic stretches and then tightens as the peloton keeps them under control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:33:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:33:40.408Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2323511b-2262-41f6-ac4d-1b8c8fdb4e0b\">Merlier&#8217;s rivals expect him to be a threat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;With Tim, we have to wait and see, but you can never write him off. I expect him today as well,&#8221; said Jordi Meeus.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-2323511b-2262-41f6-ac4d-1b8c8fdb4e0b-2\">&#8220;Merlier is returning from injury, but given the weather conditions, I don&#8217;t expect a tough race. That will work to his advantage,&#8221; Japser Philipsen told Sporza.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:30:41+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:30:41.504Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8fb8bd2-a592-4325-b817-24b4e7e9bb0e\">Tim Merlier no longer has knee pain but is still working on his form and sprinting speed. Yet he should not be ruled out in the sprint.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t expect to still be participating in this race,&#8221; the 2024 and 2025 winner told Sporza at the start.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-b8fb8bd2-a592-4325-b817-24b4e7e9bb0e-2\">&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be myself if I didn&#8217;t expect a result. I&#8217;m hoping for a podium finish, but if things go 110 percent right&#8230; why not?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m starting with that ambition. I need to convey that to my teammates so they are willing to do the work 110 percent for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:21:53+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:21:53.305Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-596c1843-a8b2-40b4-b212-c06f24f01ec6\">Picnic PostNL are helping Unibet and Soudal with the chase, putting a rider on the front too. They are surely working for Pavel Bittner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:18:13+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:18:13.033Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1665c565-ecc7-4c96-b072-2f4f0335a6d3\">Our live coverage from the Basque Country is also underway. It&#8217;s a great day of racing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Itzulia Basque Country stage 3 LIVE: Paul Seixas defends yellow on punchy day in the Basque Country<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:16:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:16:40.050Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-71276395-6967-4151-991c-4dd044d04145\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) have extended their lead to 2:40 as Soudal and Unibet lead the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:07:34+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:07:34.593Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d2790bc2-cae4-4431-8b0b-0bd80b548b6a\">The flat, straight roads of Zeeland.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-83ffbf68-090a-4d0c-96b8-9e57ca0f468e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gNE9XFqE2LGFZq3J5kZkKQ.jpg\" alt=\"The pack of riders pictured in action during the men&amp;#039;s race of the &amp;#039;Scheldeprijs&amp;#039; one day cycling event\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:06:39+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:06:39.522Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6cd28fa3-e52c-4543-b518-f90189178173\">It&#8217;s lined out in the peloton but not too fast, for now.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0ca13600-0853-4249-a7ce-47cf6a6404dd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMr9VXdptotkR7TEP4LvAH.jpg\" alt=\"The men&amp;#039;s Scheldeprijs peloton\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:05:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:05:12.842Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6a34b6ad-c14a-48a7-aa36-89e4dde52505\">We have the first race shots from our photographers out on the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This was the first attack in the tunnel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e895437c-46e2-4fa0-a599-e831b82fc93b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFiTo4AjEMRR9XdjmceHe8.jpg\" alt=\"American Robin Carpenter of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, Dutch Nat Joost of BEAT Cycling Club p\/b Saxo and American Jonah Killy of Tarteletto-Isorex\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:55:31+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:55:31.417Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-170km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-170km-to-go\"><span>170km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6fbaa031-a993-4c88-8f94-51095387ad54\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The six attackers are working smoothly together off the front but the peloton is holding them at 2:30. We can experct a game of cat and mouse on the ride to Schoten.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:47:42+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:47:42.297Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f927f59e-e590-4a5c-9715-95e2a173a10d\">According to our colleagues at Wielerflits, the Scheldeprijs riders were warned about riding through any level crossing during today&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">According to reports in Belgium, the East Flanders Public Prosecutor&#8217;s Office has identified 54 riders who could face sanctions, including fines and driving bans after they dived through a level crossing early on in Sunday&#8217;s Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-f927f59e-e590-4a5c-9715-95e2a173a10d-2\">This is our story on the matter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Investigation identifies 54 riders as skipping level crossing red signal at Tour of Flanders<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5d9ce250-1aa4-4f1f-a922-755f1c7a5403\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ob57nMfooPWW2XCPbYC97D.jpg\" alt=\"OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: The peloton stopped due to a train crossing the route during the 110th Tour of Flanders - Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026 - Men&amp;amp;amp;apos;s Elite a 278.6km one day race from Antwerp to Oudenaarde \/ #UCIWT \/ on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:38:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:38:12.763Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-185km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-185km-to-go\"><span>185km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-93054752-2698-48ff-8c8d-0f4b243821e0\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders are on the exposed Zeeland roads but instead of cross winds blowing from the North Sea, the weather is warm, sunny and with only a slight breeze. It&#8217;s a lovely day for a bike ride and a bike race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:33:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:33:24.980Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-08b57c59-711d-4107-a483-bf95b37b550e\">Soudal and Unibet are leading the peloton but they are happy to let thew break go clear and gain a few minutes, but they will ride to keep them under control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The gap is already 2:30.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:28:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:28:47.848Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-02e2be85-0dee-492a-8e36-b089305ffbf2\">In the dark of the tunnel, three other riders have jonied the attack to create a move of six riders. Also off the front are Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">They have a gap of 30 seconds.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:23:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:23:54.847Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7667b086-6fe7-4c7f-9d8a-3dc3c2a2bcee\">The race has dived into the Westerscheldetunnel that passes under the sea and takes the race to the Zeeland area of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">It is cycling&#8217;s equivalent of the dark side of the Moon.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:16:51+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:16:51.743Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1266f65e-8c9c-4993-a56e-494e800a3509\">The trio have a gap but the peloton is chasing them. Race on!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:14:44+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:14:44.527Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9c616148-729f-47d6-8204-943442940f08\">&#8220;All the best guys for this race today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2041835585648664737\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The men left Terneuzen for a journey of 205 km through Zeeland towards Schoten! \ud83d\ude80 #SP26 #SPmen pic.twitter.com\/qWRcaAJoa2April 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:13:27+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:13:27.306Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c05af7c8-bacf-4c88-9dca-6a696c97379d\">We imediately have the first attack: Americans Robin Carpenter and Jonah Killy, plus Dutchman Joost Nat make the first move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:11:43+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:11:43.328Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9ce32159-4263-4289-98e0-6dfa429c0f96\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">They&#8217;re off!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:09:29+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:09:29.550Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-30487865-d2ee-4310-aae8-5002f2a8a35e\">A minute&#8217;s silence was held in Terneuzen in memory of Piet De Smet, the former chairman of the Scheldeprijs organisers, who passed away last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:08:38+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:08:38.390Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-028752e2-d8d7-4abd-8f50-f630dbe69cb5\">&#8220;I feel a bit at home, especially later at the finish in Schoten,&#8221; Kittel told Sporza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I have wonderful memories. It was also the end of my career, because I unknowingly rode my last race as a pro here. It is great to return with the Rockets.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-028752e2-d8d7-4abd-8f50-f630dbe69cb5-2\">&#8220;The last circuit in Schoten is always hectic. There is little room to move forward. You have to choose your moments as a team, you have to do it together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kittel will be in the Unibet team car today.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I still feel involved in these races as a rider. It is an intense experience, and as an athlete, I found that the most beautiful thing of all. I hope we can experience those emotions again today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:05:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:05:54.182Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bed75a39-05fc-45eb-bedc-e11b56db20f7\">Marcel Kittel is known as &#8220;Mister Scheldeprijs&#8221; after winning the race five times. Now he is the sprint coach sat Unibet, helping Groenewegen and his lead out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I feel a bit at home,&#8221; he said before the start. His tactical message to his riders: &#8220;Stay calm and then do your thing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d22379ce-8ccb-4686-afd0-6c994c5f4e64\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDeNCUQxpZF6rYF9exNSVT.jpg\" alt=\"Marcel Kittel joins Unibet Rose Rockets for the 2026 season as a sprint coach.\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Unibet Rose Rockets)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:58:56+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:58:56.789Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-919deb93-ce85-44c3-a375-17624f6d7054\">Dylan Groenwegen (Unibet Rose Rockets), has won four sprints already in 2026 and is hoping for to add a cherry to his cake of spring success.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;The Spring season has already been a success, so in that respect it doesn&#8217;t matter much. Of course, it would be a nice cherry on top of the cake,&#8221; he told HLN at the sign-on podium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Anything is possible, but the weather is very nice today. The wind won&#8217;t really cause any crazy things today, but of course you never know what other teams want. So always stay alert!&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-de747102-4919-4db5-9cad-e1473d274800\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH.jpg\" alt=\"ROESELARE - MARCH 22: Dylan Groenewegen of Netherlands and Team Unibet Rose Rockets celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 15th Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monsere 2026 a 202.5km one day race from Torhout to Roeselare on March 22, 2026 in Roeselare, Italy. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:57:05+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:57:05.590Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-58561b9b-38cc-44a6-885d-6e4688f6848d\">The riders will roll out of Terneuzen when the church bell strikes 1pm local time. They then face a 4km neutralised sector before the race starts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:51:52+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:51:52.661Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-02fa2cd7-f82b-45a7-b546-a824b299fc6e\">It&#8217;s another busy day of racing but as always, Cyclingnews has you covered. Today is stage 3 of the Itzulia Basque Country as Paul Seixas continues to dominate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The women&#8217;s Scheldeprijs is already underway and you can follow all the action via our live updates. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) won the 2025 Scheldeprijs Women race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Scheldeprijs Women LIVE: Can anyone prevent a bunch sprint, or will the fast women take the honours again?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bf5bb6b3-d3b8-457f-bcf6-9ff2db4b68b1\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cduvyUwWQQLdN9jjoSSPgJ.jpg\" alt=\"SCHOTEN, BELGIUM - APRIL 09: Elisa Balsamo of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 5th Scheldeprijs 2025, Women&amp;#039;s Elite a 130.3km one day race from Schoten to Schoten on April 09, 2025 in Schoten, Belgium. (Photo by Rhode Van Elsen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:44:06+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:44:06.535Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7d1ce32b-e12c-4c55-9383-74e97cf7ce13\">Tim Merlier has only ridden one race due to his injuries, finishing 19th in the Grote prijs Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 on March 19. He has trained since then but is still working to find his best form.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My shape is getting better and better, so I look forward to being there. I would love to be in the mix for a good result, but I know it won\u2019t be easy, because others are in better form,&#8221; he said via his Soudal team recently.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nevertheless, I will give my best, like I always do, and we\u2019ll see what I\u2019ll achieve at the end of the day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-88672869-a3bf-400d-95b9-7fea274d9c0b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQNpwmAMJ7jdkaY539HMVf.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 93rd Baloise Belgium Tour 2024, Stage 2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:39:53+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:39:53.577Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c907edd2-52b2-4f25-b417-1ba55e5e323a\">Other sprinters we will be watching for include Jordi Meeus (Red Bull), Britain&#8217;s Robert Donaldson (Jayco-Alula), Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet), Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello-Q36.5), Hugo Hofstetter (NSN) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:36:03+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:36:03.514Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-efdbb8ff-5d8e-4326-a478-5aa4b5cb956d\">Tim Merlier wears race number 1 as the previous winner. However due to his injuries in the early and pre-season, he is not the favourite to win the sprint. That title perhaps goes to Jasper Philipsen, the rider Merlier beat in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:33:55+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:33:55.284Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f6b1552d-5e88-42a6-a7ac-3d3eba4a1e2e\">The riders are currently signing on in the sun in Terneuzen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:31:38+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:31:38.225Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a2c01a1e-89c3-4e9f-ac3a-4a47b000b90d\">The 2025 Scheldeprijs was a classic edition, with an early break, a fast chase, attacks and then the thrilling sprint finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Look back over the 2025 via our race report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Scheldeprijs: Tim Merlier beats Jasper Philipsen by a bike length in crash-marred final to win second year in a row<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4be07a3a-b30c-471a-bbed-086110f5206e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5w4wxRt8NcEcHBpDPWroiF.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck, Belgian Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step and Italian Matteo Moschetti of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team pictured on the podium after the men&amp;#039;s race\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:25:33+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:25:33.977Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-97c0f073-db3e-4a1c-8bee-4bad3550acda\">The riders cover the circuit three times before the expected high-speed, high-stakes sprint finish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:24:32+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:24:32.521Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f416b0bb-b39f-4669-a5aa-7f5333290737\">With 140 kilometres of flat racing to go, the riders reach the Belgian border in Essen, near Antwerp. Then heads south to Schoten to begin the 16.9km finishing circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:22:30+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:22:30.930Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-365bfb96-0efb-4403-a075-e2b043470f4d\">As the map shows, the race starts in the Dutch town of Terneuzen, close to the Belgian border. The riders pass through the Westerscheldetunnel and then cover some exposed roads in the Netherlands before riding east.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:19:02+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:19:02.449Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-30f79425-88b2-40c1-8e52-38af6b9bcc6d\">This is the map of the race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-439d2f31-85af-4fa9-a5f9-887c3353a202\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NfitRguCfhesEc6GFPJTtH.png\" alt=\"The map of the 2026 Scheldeprijs men\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Flanders classics)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:14:14+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:14:14.781Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-32efe135-5cd7-4259-a7e8-ab2f29788f3e\">It&#8217;s only April 8 but spring has sprung in nothern Europe, with temperatures of 18C and little forecast for the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:11:27+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:11:27.884Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-555fd25c-ca46-4bbb-b66e-35ae0bca8311\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Scheldeprijs men&#8217;s race. This is the sprinters&#8217; Classics but should be another day of great racing.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mid-article-leaderboard\" class=\"ad-unit sm:hidden block\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-[--truncate-height] sm:h-[--truncate-desktop-height] overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[--truncate-gradient-color,white] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div class=\"button wcp-live-feed-reload\">Refresh <i class=\"fa fa-refresh\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:53:42+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:53:42.598Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7363c723-2177-4c5a-88b2-1f1298cf8360\">Two laps and 33km to go!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:50:25+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:50:25.868Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-23a63a36-28e3-4f55-8fcf-afcbf7a2b101\">The break has split as they are about to be caught. Behind the sprint teams are fighting for position. Every surge to move up is a big effort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:49:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:49:24.228Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fb67a102-8560-4993-ad4b-274d893818f1\">Unibet are ready to ride for Dylan Groenewegen. It wohld be a huge win for him and the innovative team.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2041885483291025451\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today\u2019s view at Scheldeprijs. \ud83d\udc40\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea #scheldeprijs pic.twitter.com\/bhpON5l3wJApril 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:45:11+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:45:11.992Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8d0e6b3-cbfa-4ffe-bb4a-12c8087350c5\">The riders are back on the Broekstraat and Lidl-Trek are active on the front. Though it&#8217;s not clear if they are attacking or trying to line-out the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Whatever it is cutting into the lead of the break.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:39:49+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:39:49.528Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-768429a6-adba-4093-8320-bab406d7c1df\">Now Soudal, Jayco and Lotto are lined out across the road in formation. The speed is up and rising.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:38:59+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:38:59.892Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f5937071-95e3-4069-9748-f3c909141b29\">Lidl-Trek are also positioning for the final, with Hector Alvarez jumping off the front to slot back into the position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:34:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:34:47.415Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60e672ed-374f-46bf-8851-f201190ffc94\">Jasper Philipsen suffered a rear wheel flat just before passing the finish area. He opted for a wheel change rather than a faster full bike change. He is quickly paced by Alpecin teammates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:32:52+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:32:52.909Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d79ffe3e-0c04-42a8-afad-7bdade8dd036\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-d79ffe3e-0c04-42a8-afad-7bdade8dd036-2\"><strong>Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:32:15+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:32:15.172Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-50km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-50km-to-go\"><span>50km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9494c661-d289-4ca9-88d8-fa39ce111008\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders pass through the finish area in Schoten, the break leads the peloton by just 50 seconds now. The riders get to see how the finish gradually bends to the left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:26:46+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:26:46.211Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7f239683-3bd6-4d83-8e1e-152354b08583\">The riders now ride alongside the huge Schelde river, speeding along faster the long canal boats that carry goods up and down the river.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:25:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:25:24.219Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d3519be-c084-485e-bf6d-1bafca38a315\">Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello) drops his chain on the cobbles. He was third last year but now has to chase to rejoin the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:22:55+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:22:55.851Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-771bb0c3-71fc-42e6-a196-4ec7a3f4d2ec\">The break hits the 1.7km long Broekstraat cobbled sector. This will crank-up the tension a bit more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:19:20+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:19:20.707Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-60km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-60km-to-go\"><span>60km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-640363a5-52be-4349-8222-a55bf9f4b65c\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders cover the first short sector of cobbles as they near Schoten. Alpecin have wisely moved to the front as the pace rises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The break is just 1:10 ahead now.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:14:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:14:12.293Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3fb3cb56-6d82-4b4b-8eea-340d74db1c72\">Some breaking news: Isaac del Toro crashed hard at Itzulia Basque Country and has been forced to abandon the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Isaac del Toro abandons Itzulia Basque Country after crash early on stage 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d948eb8a-b6d0-4ff3-be24-5a74d25a4e82\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dsghfAcUvKSwYuytTPkkRA.jpg\" alt=\"Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 65th Itzulia Basque Country\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:08:10+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:08:10.755Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-70km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-70km-to-go\"><span>70km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-82312c48-4b7d-4069-a9a2-4023527cd91f\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) are still working smoothly but they know the peloton is closing them down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:04:09+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:04:09.476Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-49ceca12-a622-4dcb-86f9-ab49db848652\">We can also see Alpecin riders lined-out together, riding for Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T14:01:08+00:00\">2026-04-08T14:01:08.546Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-75km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-75km-to-go\"><span>75km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8801dced-c3ff-4b2e-afbe-68b110036502\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The peloton is rising with more gusto now, with the same single riders from Unibet, Soudal and Picnic doing turns on the front. The Tudor team are tucked in behind them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The gap to the peloton is down to 2:00 and falling.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:55:48+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:55:48.972Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9777933-a870-4446-a2df-7aa7c8cf9eac\">The average speed for the first hour of racing was 43km\/h, indicating the controlled racing and the headwind in Zeeland. We expected the speed to rise more and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:47:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:47:47.433Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6f5892-c368-467a-88af-8fd099806246\">The crowds are already out in the finish area of Schoten after seeing the women&#8217;s race. They are now enjoying dome frites and a beer. The riders pass the finish line for the first time with 50km to go and cover three and half lap of the 17km circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:40:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:40:40.916Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a1844ec2-b0cc-4f2c-8232-5119bf166f21\">Scheldeprijs sits between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. This special feature by Matilda Price and James Moultrie looks back to the Rnde and forward to the Hell of the North.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix \u2013 The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s chances<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0b008e1d-5475-4b51-9cb7-aa840d49a925\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9yfQ9LsrUASDQkVuHxvzA5.jpg\" alt=\"OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: (L-R) Demi Vollering of Netherlands and Team FDJ United - SUEZ and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at podium as race winners during the 23rd Tour of Flanders 2026 - Ronde van Vlaandere - Women&amp;amp;amp;apos;s Elite a 164.1km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde \/ #UCIWWT \/ on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:32:10+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:32:10.600Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-100km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-100km-to-go\"><span>100km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5ae8d709-f4ad-431f-bb31-f5e9214d5887\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders are gradually heading towards Antwerp and then Schoten but the pace is steady because there is a slight head wind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">We expect more action and then a crescendo finale on the three 17km loops of Schoten.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:12:58+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:12:58.433Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b749930d-afe8-4d28-9441-b4094190ed47\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) are still clear of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Their lead is pegged at 2:20.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:05:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:05:54.461Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-122km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-122km-to-go\"><span>122km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d943f9d6-fac6-4ca4-b730-ae758fc3d77d\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The break and the peloton have passed into Belgium after the opening 70km or so in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T13:00:35+00:00\">2026-04-08T13:00:35.628Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60c06ae2-dc8e-4b9d-8578-5d03128a8c25\">The women&#8217;s Scheldeprijs has just ended but we will not spoiler it for you. Check out our live coverage and then full report for all the details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:51+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:51.931Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bcfccb79-ba5f-4561-b503-65b144c0f2fa\">And the peloton lined out.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c3d6d6de-1988-4c49-887c-773b4cc97bb4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ARr7sYN6WX8dZ7yNkqiXQE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:32+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:32.313Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e0c3217a-da92-4b02-b5dd-242a5d614a77\">We can see who is chasing the break.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b2570eb4-6167-40b9-b22b-04364f65e07f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PrsSwuGuBLrBYFCSN7fAUE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:56:07+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:56:07.203Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8f53cd25-1835-4f7a-a9d4-1dcd3087be73\">We have more great pics of the peloton at speed.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a0151842-e14e-4359-b876-c890bb9cec0e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG96qhuZB6r96dgGHKb6VE.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the peloton during the 114th Scheldeprijs 2026\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:46:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:46:54.129Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8a07de88-320a-49e3-8047-ed56d647ea1f\">Jasper Philipsen has won Scheldeprijs twice and wants a third victory. However he revealed to Nieuwsblad that is struggling to get over a cold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I really want to win. Every race is important, so today is too. The Scheldeprijs is an absolute top race for a sprinter,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully, we will see a nice mass sprint at the end. Dylan Groenewegen is in a winning flow. Tim Merlier is returning from injury, but given the weather conditions, I don&#8217;t expect a tough race. That will also work to his advantage.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019ve had a cold since Milan-San Remo and I\u2019m having trouble getting rid of it. It\u2019s not that it has much impact on how I feel on the bike.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bdefc407-fe43-4a9d-be3e-c0c7e6f3f2bf\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MFPbfu5ZMVotBJshvezSrb.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured at the start of the men&amp;#039;s race of the Scheldeprijs.\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:42:19+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:42:19.695Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8bd023b9-c768-4afc-add9-b5fe841b3a11\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The attackers have lost 10 seconds as the elastic stretches and then tightens as the peloton keeps them under control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:33:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:33:40.408Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2323511b-2262-41f6-ac4d-1b8c8fdb4e0b\">Merlier&#8217;s rivals expect him to be a threat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;With Tim, we have to wait and see, but you can never write him off. I expect him today as well,&#8221; said Jordi Meeus.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-2323511b-2262-41f6-ac4d-1b8c8fdb4e0b-2\">&#8220;Merlier is returning from injury, but given the weather conditions, I don&#8217;t expect a tough race. That will work to his advantage,&#8221; Japser Philipsen told Sporza.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:30:41+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:30:41.504Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8fb8bd2-a592-4325-b817-24b4e7e9bb0e\">Tim Merlier no longer has knee pain but is still working on his form and sprinting speed. Yet he should not be ruled out in the sprint.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t expect to still be participating in this race,&#8221; the 2024 and 2025 winner told Sporza at the start.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-b8fb8bd2-a592-4325-b817-24b4e7e9bb0e-2\">&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be myself if I didn&#8217;t expect a result. I&#8217;m hoping for a podium finish, but if things go 110 percent right&#8230; why not?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m starting with that ambition. I need to convey that to my teammates so they are willing to do the work 110 percent for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:21:53+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:21:53.305Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-596c1843-a8b2-40b4-b212-c06f24f01ec6\">Picnic PostNL are helping Unibet and Soudal with the chase, putting a rider on the front too. They are surely working for Pavel Bittner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:18:13+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:18:13.033Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1665c565-ecc7-4c96-b072-2f4f0335a6d3\">Our live coverage from the Basque Country is also underway. It&#8217;s a great day of racing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Itzulia Basque Country stage 3 LIVE: Paul Seixas defends yellow on punchy day in the Basque Country<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:16:40+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:16:40.050Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-71276395-6967-4151-991c-4dd044d04145\">Robin Carpenter (Modern Adventure), Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex), Joost Nat (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) have extended their lead to 2:40 as Soudal and Unibet lead the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:07:34+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:07:34.593Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d2790bc2-cae4-4431-8b0b-0bd80b548b6a\">The flat, straight roads of Zeeland.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-83ffbf68-090a-4d0c-96b8-9e57ca0f468e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gNE9XFqE2LGFZq3J5kZkKQ.jpg\" alt=\"The pack of riders pictured in action during the men&amp;#039;s race of the &amp;#039;Scheldeprijs&amp;#039; one day cycling event\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:06:39+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:06:39.522Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6cd28fa3-e52c-4543-b518-f90189178173\">It&#8217;s lined out in the peloton but not too fast, for now.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0ca13600-0853-4249-a7ce-47cf6a6404dd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMr9VXdptotkR7TEP4LvAH.jpg\" alt=\"The men&amp;#039;s Scheldeprijs peloton\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T12:05:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T12:05:12.842Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6a34b6ad-c14a-48a7-aa36-89e4dde52505\">We have the first race shots from our photographers out on the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This was the first attack in the tunnel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e895437c-46e2-4fa0-a599-e831b82fc93b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFiTo4AjEMRR9XdjmceHe8.jpg\" alt=\"American Robin Carpenter of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, Dutch Nat Joost of BEAT Cycling Club p\/b Saxo and American Jonah Killy of Tarteletto-Isorex\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:55:31+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:55:31.417Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-170km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-170km-to-go\"><span>170km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6fbaa031-a993-4c88-8f94-51095387ad54\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The six attackers are working smoothly together off the front but the peloton is holding them at 2:30. We can experct a game of cat and mouse on the ride to Schoten.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:47:42+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:47:42.297Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f927f59e-e590-4a5c-9715-95e2a173a10d\">According to our colleagues at Wielerflits, the Scheldeprijs riders were warned about riding through any level crossing during today&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">According to reports in Belgium, the East Flanders Public Prosecutor&#8217;s Office has identified 54 riders who could face sanctions, including fines and driving bans after they dived through a level crossing early on in Sunday&#8217;s Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-f927f59e-e590-4a5c-9715-95e2a173a10d-2\">This is our story on the matter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Investigation identifies 54 riders as skipping level crossing red signal at Tour of Flanders<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5d9ce250-1aa4-4f1f-a922-755f1c7a5403\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ob57nMfooPWW2XCPbYC97D.jpg\" alt=\"OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: The peloton stopped due to a train crossing the route during the 110th Tour of Flanders - Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026 - Men&amp;amp;amp;apos;s Elite a 278.6km one day race from Antwerp to Oudenaarde \/ #UCIWT \/ on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:38:12+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:38:12.763Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-185km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-185km-to-go\"><span>185km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-93054752-2698-48ff-8c8d-0f4b243821e0\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The riders are on the exposed Zeeland roads but instead of cross winds blowing from the North Sea, the weather is warm, sunny and with only a slight breeze. It&#8217;s a lovely day for a bike ride and a bike race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:33:24+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:33:24.980Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-08b57c59-711d-4107-a483-bf95b37b550e\">Soudal and Unibet are leading the peloton but they are happy to let thew break go clear and gain a few minutes, but they will ride to keep them under control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The gap is already 2:30.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:28:47+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:28:47.848Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-02e2be85-0dee-492a-8e36-b089305ffbf2\">In the dark of the tunnel, three other riders have jonied the attack to create a move of six riders. Also off the front are Dissel Bram (BEAT CC p\/b Saxo), Harteel Jelle (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Duri\u0107 Dorde (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">They have a gap of 30 seconds.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:23:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:23:54.847Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7667b086-6fe7-4c7f-9d8a-3dc3c2a2bcee\">The race has dived into the Westerscheldetunnel that passes under the sea and takes the race to the Zeeland area of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">It is cycling&#8217;s equivalent of the dark side of the Moon.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:16:51+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:16:51.743Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1266f65e-8c9c-4993-a56e-494e800a3509\">The trio have a gap but the peloton is chasing them. Race on!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:14:44+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:14:44.527Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9c616148-729f-47d6-8204-943442940f08\">&#8220;All the best guys for this race today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2041835585648664737\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The men left Terneuzen for a journey of 205 km through Zeeland towards Schoten! \ud83d\ude80 #SP26 #SPmen pic.twitter.com\/qWRcaAJoa2April 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:13:27+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:13:27.306Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c05af7c8-bacf-4c88-9dca-6a696c97379d\">We imediately have the first attack: Americans Robin Carpenter and Jonah Killy, plus Dutchman Joost Nat make the first move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:11:43+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:11:43.328Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9ce32159-4263-4289-98e0-6dfa429c0f96\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">They&#8217;re off!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:09:29+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:09:29.550Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-30487865-d2ee-4310-aae8-5002f2a8a35e\">A minute&#8217;s silence was held in Terneuzen in memory of Piet De Smet, the former chairman of the Scheldeprijs organisers, who passed away last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:08:38+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:08:38.390Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-028752e2-d8d7-4abd-8f50-f630dbe69cb5\">&#8220;I feel a bit at home, especially later at the finish in Schoten,&#8221; Kittel told Sporza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I have wonderful memories. It was also the end of my career, because I unknowingly rode my last race as a pro here. It is great to return with the Rockets.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-028752e2-d8d7-4abd-8f50-f630dbe69cb5-2\">&#8220;The last circuit in Schoten is always hectic. There is little room to move forward. You have to choose your moments as a team, you have to do it together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kittel will be in the Unibet team car today.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I still feel involved in these races as a rider. It is an intense experience, and as an athlete, I found that the most beautiful thing of all. I hope we can experience those emotions again today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T11:05:54+00:00\">2026-04-08T11:05:54.182Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bed75a39-05fc-45eb-bedc-e11b56db20f7\">Marcel Kittel is known as &#8220;Mister Scheldeprijs&#8221; after winning the race five times. Now he is the sprint coach sat Unibet, helping Groenewegen and his lead out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I feel a bit at home,&#8221; he said before the start. His tactical message to his riders: &#8220;Stay calm and then do your thing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d22379ce-8ccb-4686-afd0-6c994c5f4e64\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDeNCUQxpZF6rYF9exNSVT.jpg\" alt=\"Marcel Kittel joins Unibet Rose Rockets for the 2026 season as a sprint coach.\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Unibet Rose Rockets)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:58:56+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:58:56.789Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-919deb93-ce85-44c3-a375-17624f6d7054\">Dylan Groenwegen (Unibet Rose Rockets), has won four sprints already in 2026 and is hoping for to add a cherry to his cake of spring success.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;The Spring season has already been a success, so in that respect it doesn&#8217;t matter much. Of course, it would be a nice cherry on top of the cake,&#8221; he told HLN at the sign-on podium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Anything is possible, but the weather is very nice today. The wind won&#8217;t really cause any crazy things today, but of course you never know what other teams want. So always stay alert!&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-de747102-4919-4db5-9cad-e1473d274800\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B62rpGhx285hCCaRditVRH.jpg\" alt=\"ROESELARE - MARCH 22: Dylan Groenewegen of Netherlands and Team Unibet Rose Rockets celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 15th Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monsere 2026 a 202.5km one day race from Torhout to Roeselare on March 22, 2026 in Roeselare, Italy. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:57:05+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:57:05.590Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-58561b9b-38cc-44a6-885d-6e4688f6848d\">The riders will roll out of Terneuzen when the church bell strikes 1pm local time. They then face a 4km neutralised sector before the race starts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:51:52+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:51:52.661Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-02fa2cd7-f82b-45a7-b546-a824b299fc6e\">It&#8217;s another busy day of racing but as always, Cyclingnews has you covered. Today is stage 3 of the Itzulia Basque Country as Paul Seixas continues to dominate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The women&#8217;s Scheldeprijs is already underway and you can follow all the action via our live updates. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) won the 2025 Scheldeprijs Women race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Scheldeprijs Women LIVE: Can anyone prevent a bunch sprint, or will the fast women take the honours again?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bf5bb6b3-d3b8-457f-bcf6-9ff2db4b68b1\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cduvyUwWQQLdN9jjoSSPgJ.jpg\" alt=\"SCHOTEN, BELGIUM - APRIL 09: Elisa Balsamo of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 5th Scheldeprijs 2025, Women&amp;#039;s Elite a 130.3km one day race from Schoten to Schoten on April 09, 2025 in Schoten, Belgium. (Photo by Rhode Van Elsen\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:44:06+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:44:06.535Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7d1ce32b-e12c-4c55-9383-74e97cf7ce13\">Tim Merlier has only ridden one race due to his injuries, finishing 19th in the Grote prijs Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 on March 19. He has trained since then but is still working to find his best form.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My shape is getting better and better, so I look forward to being there. I would love to be in the mix for a good result, but I know it won\u2019t be easy, because others are in better form,&#8221; he said via his Soudal team recently.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nevertheless, I will give my best, like I always do, and we\u2019ll see what I\u2019ll achieve at the end of the day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-88672869-a3bf-400d-95b9-7fea274d9c0b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQNpwmAMJ7jdkaY539HMVf.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 93rd Baloise Belgium Tour 2024, Stage 2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:39:53+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:39:53.577Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c907edd2-52b2-4f25-b417-1ba55e5e323a\">Other sprinters we will be watching for include Jordi Meeus (Red Bull), Britain&#8217;s Robert Donaldson (Jayco-Alula), Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet), Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello-Q36.5), Hugo Hofstetter (NSN) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:36:03+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:36:03.514Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-efdbb8ff-5d8e-4326-a478-5aa4b5cb956d\">Tim Merlier wears race number 1 as the previous winner. However due to his injuries in the early and pre-season, he is not the favourite to win the sprint. That title perhaps goes to Jasper Philipsen, the rider Merlier beat in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:33:55+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:33:55.284Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f6b1552d-5e88-42a6-a7ac-3d3eba4a1e2e\">The riders are currently signing on in the sun in Terneuzen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:31:38+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:31:38.225Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a2c01a1e-89c3-4e9f-ac3a-4a47b000b90d\">The 2025 Scheldeprijs was a classic edition, with an early break, a fast chase, attacks and then the thrilling sprint finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Look back over the 2025 via our race report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><strong>Scheldeprijs: Tim Merlier beats Jasper Philipsen by a bike length in crash-marred final to win second year in a row<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4be07a3a-b30c-471a-bbed-086110f5206e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5w4wxRt8NcEcHBpDPWroiF.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck, Belgian Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step and Italian Matteo Moschetti of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team pictured on the podium after the men&amp;#039;s race\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"seasonal_0\" class=\"hawk-root\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:25:33+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:25:33.977Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-97c0f073-db3e-4a1c-8bee-4bad3550acda\">The riders cover the circuit three times before the expected high-speed, high-stakes sprint finish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:24:32+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:24:32.521Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f416b0bb-b39f-4669-a5aa-7f5333290737\">With 140 kilometres of flat racing to go, the riders reach the Belgian border in Essen, near Antwerp. Then heads south to Schoten to begin the 16.9km finishing circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:22:30+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:22:30.930Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-365bfb96-0efb-4403-a075-e2b043470f4d\">As the map shows, the race starts in the Dutch town of Terneuzen, close to the Belgian border. The riders pass through the Westerscheldetunnel and then cover some exposed roads in the Netherlands before riding east.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:19:02+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:19:02.449Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-30f79425-88b2-40c1-8e52-38af6b9bcc6d\">This is the map of the race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-439d2f31-85af-4fa9-a5f9-887c3353a202\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NfitRguCfhesEc6GFPJTtH.png\" alt=\"The map of the 2026 Scheldeprijs men\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Flanders classics)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:14:14+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:14:14.781Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-32efe135-5cd7-4259-a7e8-ab2f29788f3e\">It&#8217;s only April 8 but spring has sprung in nothern Europe, with temperatures of 18C and little forecast for the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:11:27+00:00\">2026-04-08T10:11:27.884Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-555fd25c-ca46-4bbb-b66e-35ae0bca8311\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Scheldeprijs men&#8217;s race. This is the sprinters&#8217; Classics but should be another day of great racing.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mid-article-leaderboard\" class=\"ad-unit sm:hidden block\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-[--truncate-height] sm:h-[--truncate-desktop-height] overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[--truncate-gradient-color,white] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/scheldeprijs-men-live-tim-merlier-is-back-but-so-are-his-big-name-sprint-rivals\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCk5UQAa7vbUnh3qTS6x3e-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Road Scheldeprijs Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: The sprinters&#8217; teams prepare for a high-speed sprint showdown in Schoten Elite men race 205km from Terneuzen into Schoten in mid-week Classic Live-reports By Stephen Farrand last updated 8 April 2026 0 Comments Join the conversation When you purchase through links on our site, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1872219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1872219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872219\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1872219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1872219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1872219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}