A cornerstone of the cycling calendar, the Tour of Flanders is once again set to ignite the Flemish roads. This 2026 edition, taking place on Sunday, April 5, features an exceptional line-up and will also see twelve British riders on the start line. In a race that has historically offered little success for the Unites Kingdom, each of them will be aiming to make their mark in one of the most demanding one-day events of the season.
A strong British contingent, but no clear contender
There will be twelve British riders lining up in Antwerp, spread across several WorldTour and ProTeam outfits. A significant presence in terms of numbers, yet one that also reflects a different reality: none of them arrives as a genuine contender for victory.
Within INEOS Grenadiers, the British contingent is particularly well represented, with Samuel Watson, Ben Turner, Connor Swift and Joshua Tarling all selected. The latter, better known for his time trial prowess and engine on flat terrain, is expected to play a supporting role on a course that does not fully suit his characteristics. Turner and Swift, more accustomed to the demands of the Classics, may look to follow key moves, though they arguably lack the edge required to match the very best specialists in the peloton.
At Visma | Lease a Bike, the presence of Owain Doull, an Olympic team pursuit champion in 2016, and especially Matthew Brennan draws attention. At just 20 years old, Brennan is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in British cycling. Already a winner in demanding races such as the Grand Prix de Denain, he has shown a genuine aptitude for cobbled terrain. However, within a team built around Wout van Aert, his role will primarily be that of a domestique. His task will be to support his leader at crucial moments, and only an unexpected scenario would allow him to seize his own opportunity.
Fred Wright, now riding for Q36.5, the team that also includes Tom Pidcock, who is not starting this year arguably represents one of the most intriguing British profiles. Versatile and resilient over long, attritional races, Wright has already demonstrated his ability to feature in aggressive race scenarios. In 2025, he finished 10th at Milan–San Remo, 9th at Paris–Roubaix and 23rd at the Tour of Flanders, underlining his capacity to compete at the highest level in the Classics.
Elsewhere, Max Walker (EF Education–EasyPost) will be discovering a race of an entirely different magnitude, while Lewis Askey, now part of the structure formerly known as Israel–Premier Tech, could capitalise on his finishing speed should a reduced group sprint for the line. Robert Donaldson (Jayco AlUla), along with Oliver Peace and Sean Flynn (Picnic PostNL), complete the British line-up as riders more likely to be deployed in support roles rather than as protected leaders.
A legendary race dominated by cobbled specialists
Stretching close to 270 kilometres, the route runs from Antwerp to Oudenaarde and features a relentless succession of cobbled climbs. The Oude Kwaremont, the Paterberg and the Koppenberg are among the iconic sectors where the race is traditionally decided. These short yet often brutally steep ascents, combined with narrow roads and exposure to the wind, favour powerful riders capable of repeatedly producing explosive efforts.
Held annually since 1913 (with the exception of the war years between 1915 and 1918), the Tour of Flanders is one of cycling’s five Monuments and stands out for its sheer difficulty. Despite its long history, the United Kingdom has rarely enjoyed success in this race. Only one British rider has ever stood on the podium : Tom Simpson, who claimed victory in 1961 before finishing third in 1963. Since then, despite the rise of major British names in the sport, no rider has come close to matching that achievement on the Flemish roads.
The 2026 edition promises to be particularly compelling, with Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel all set to line up together for the first time in a one-day Classic outside of the World Championships. The Slovenian, defending champion, starts as the favourite following a string of dominant performances, while the Dutchman appears to be his most dangerous rival. Behind them, riders such as Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen will be ready to capitalise on any opportunity, while Remco Evenepoel’s late decision to take part adds an extra layer of intrigue to a race he had previously shown little interest in contesting.
The British riders competing in the 2026 Tour of Flanders
INEOS Grenadiers
- Samuel Watson
- Ben Turner
- Connor Swift
- Joshua Tarling
Visma | Lease a Bike
- Owain Doull
- Matthew Brennan
Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
- Fred Wright
EF Education–EasyPost
- Max Walker
NSN Cycling Team
- Lewis Askey
Team Jayco AlUla
- Robert Donaldson
Picnic PostNL
- Oliver Peace
- Sean Flynn
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