Internationale Sluitingsprijs Oostmalle 2027

The 2026 men's race, on February 22, was ridden in the rain over nine laps. The riders in contention stayed together until about halfway. A slip by Niels Vandeputte then prompted the others to raise the pace, and Joris Nieuwenhuis rode clear with Gerben Kuypers and Yordi Corsus. Vandeputte got back to the front, and when Corsus took a small gap on the last lap he kept him within reach and came past in the last meters with a strong sprint. It was the second time in his career that he won the Sluitingsprijs. Nieuwenhuis was third.

The women's race, six laps and the last cross of the season, came to a sprint as well. Ceylin Alvarado fell, had to chase and got back to Inge van der Heijden and Marion Norbert Riberolle at the front. Norbert Riberolle, the Belgian champion, then lost touch after a flat tire. On the last lap Alvarado seemed to be taking some distance from Van der Heijden. In the sprint her chain came off and her foot came out of the pedal, and Van der Heijden, who had started it a bike length behind, won.

It was also a day of goodbyes. Lars van der Haar finished 14th in the last cross of his career, and Laura Verdonschot, a home rider, was met with confetti at the finish of hers.