The Scheldeprijs sits wedged between two cycling monuments: the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Held traditionally on Wednesday, this race has carved out a reputation as the sprinters’ proving ground in northern Europe. The roll of honour reads like a greatest-hits compilation of the world’s fastest riders. Marcel Kittel, Mark Cavendish, and Fabio Jakobsen dominate the winners’ list, and for good reason. This is a race where top-end speed decides outcomes.
The last three editions belong to two men: Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech and Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step. Philipsen won in 2021 and 2023. Merlier claimed victory in 2024 and 2025. Both return in 2026 with unfinished business, though Paris-Roubaix looms three days after the finish in Schoten, adding caution to their ambitions.
Route Profile and Conditions
Scheldeprijs demands no climbing ability. The course is flat from start to finish, running from the Dutch town of Terneuzen into Belgium before reaching a 17-kilometre finishing circuit near Schoten. Riders complete that loop four times. A cobbled section exists but rarely influences the outcome. The real danger comes in the final approach: staying upright on wet pavement during the sprint.
Wind shapes this race more than terrain. The 2026 forecast shows an easterly wind that will run mostly headwind through the opening kilometres, allowing chasing groups to regulate gaps. Moderate speeds around 20 degrees Celsius create ideal sprinting conditions. The race starts at 1 PM local time, with the finish expected around 5:15 PM.
The Favorites
Dylan Groenewegen of Unibet Rose Rockets arrives as the form sprinter. He won his last three Belgian races and delivered his team’s first WorldTour victory at the Tour of Bruges on March 25, 2026. His speed in recent weeks positions him as a genuine threat to the established Belgian dominance.
Philipsen skipped the Tour of Flanders to focus entirely on Scheldeprijs and Paris-Roubaix, signalling his commitment to this stage. Merlier returned to competition only recently after a knee injury sidelined him through February and into March. He raced just GP Monseré before regaining full fitness.
Jordi Meeus of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe follows a similar pre-race strategy to Philipsen. He secured victory at Le Samyn earlier this season and commands support from Danny van Poppel and the Van Dijke brothers in the finale.
Supporting Cast
Experience runs deep beyond the top tier. Phil Bauhaus of Bahrain Victorious, Pascal Ackermann of Jayco AlUla, and Matteo Moschetti of Q36.5-Pinarello bring sprint credentials. The NSN trio of Oded Kogut, Hugo Hofstetter, and Itamar Einhorn also merit consideration.
Younger sprinters populate the start sheet: Steffen De Schuyteneer of Lotto-Intermarché, Tim Torn Teutenberg of Lidl-Trek, Pavel Bittner of Picnic PostNL, and Milan Fretin of Cofidis. Each has shown sprint potential in recent weeks.
Top Contenders at a Glance
- Primary favorites: Jasper Philipsen and Dylan Groenewegen
- Strong outsiders: Jordi Meeus, Tim Merlier, Matteo Moschetti, Phil Bauhaus
- Emerging threats: Steffen De Schuyteneer, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Pascal Ackermann, Pavel Bittner
Broadcast Details
The race airs live Wednesday across Sporza and Eurosport. Belgian viewers can tune to VRT 1 starting at 3:40 PM. Eurosport provides online coverage from the same time, though its main feed shows the Tour of the Basque Country.
Watch Groenewegen and Philipsen duel in what may feel less like a world championship and more like a concentrated Belgium-Netherlands affair. The flat roads and wind patterns suit their style perfectly. Follow TipsGG for full race coverage and analysis as Scheldeprijs unfolds.