Belgian late-season racing in memory of Frank Vandenbroucke
Binche-Chimay-Binche / Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke
A late-season Belgian one-day race that rewards positioning, nerve, and the ability to handle repeated accelerations on rolling roads.
- Location
- 🇧🇪 Belgium
- When
- First Tuesday in October
- Course
- One Day
- Most recent winner
- 🇫🇷 Paul Magnier (2026)
- Category
- Men’s Continental
About Binche-Chimay-Binche / Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke
Binche-Chimay-Binche is a men's one-day bike race held in Belgium each October. Named in memory of Frank Vandenbroucke, it loops through the province of Hainaut, linking the towns of Binche and Chimay across terrain that favors aggressive, tactically alert riders.
Named for Frank Vandenbroucke, one of Belgium's most gifted and troubled riders.
This is Belgian racing stripped of monuments and spring cobbles, but not of Belgian character. The route through Hainaut offers rolling roads, tight corners, and the kind of positioning battles that reward riders who can read a race and respond quickly. It sits late in the calendar, often drawing a mix of riders chasing form, results, or one last chance before the season closes.
Binche-Chimay-Binche / Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 🇫🇷Paul Magnier |
| 2025 | 🇧🇪Edward Theuns |
| 2024 | 🇧🇪Arnaud De Lie |
| 2023 | 🇮🇹Luca Mozzato |
| 2022 | 🇫🇷Christophe Laporte |
| 2019 | 🇧🇪Tom Van Asbroeck |
2026 results
This edition is complete.
Binche-Chimay-Binche / Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke route
The course loops through the rolling countryside of Hainaut, linking Binche and Chimay with a series of short climbs, descents, and technical sections that prevent the race from settling into a controlled tempo. There are no defining mountains, but the cumulative elevation and the frequency of accelerations make it difficult for pure sprinters to survive in contention. Positioning matters more than power, and the finale often comes down to a reduced group or a late attack that holds. Weather in October can add another variable, turning roads slick and raising the stakes on descents and corners. The race rewards riders who can handle repeated surges without burning out, and who know when to follow and when to force the issue.
What shapes the race
Point-to-point loop
The race runs from Binche south to Chimay and back, crossing the rolling Hainaut countryside on roads that favor aggressive, tactically alert riders.
Late-season positioning
Held in October, the race attracts riders chasing form or salvaging a season, creating a mixed field where motivation varies and opportunity opens.
Rolling Hainaut terrain
Short climbs, tight corners, and exposed sections prevent the race from settling into a controlled sprint. The terrain rewards positioning over pure power.
Signature landmarks
- Start and finish
Binche
The Walloon town of Binche anchors the race. Known for its UNESCO-listed carnival, Binche gives the race a distinctive cultural identity.
- Turning point
Chimay
The southern turning point near the French border. The roads between Binche and Chimay roll through farmland that can expose riders to wind and tactical pressure.
History
Memorable editions
- 2022
Laporte wins with authority
Christophe Laporte used his Jumbo-Visma form to control the finale and win solo, demonstrating that WorldTour quality can dominate a continental field.
- 2024
De Lie powers through
Arnaud De Lie won on roads that suit his punchy style, confirming the race as Belgian territory and a platform for emerging talent.
Iconic victories
Arnaud De Lie
Won in 2024 with the kind of explosive finishing power that suits the rolling Hainaut terrain. A rising Belgian star finding his calendar.
Christophe Laporte
The 2022 winner brought WorldTour precision to a continental race, winning solo from a late move that the field could not close.
Frank Vandenbroucke
The race memorial honors one of Belgium most gifted and troubled riders. VDB never won this race, but his name gives it weight beyond its calendar status.
Eras and records
A Belgian autumn race with deeper roots than its calendar status suggests, carrying the name of Frank Vandenbroucke through the rolling roads of Hainaut.
Memorial identity
Named for Frank Vandenbroucke, one of Belgian cycling most gifted and tragic figures. The memorial gives the race emotional weight.
Race origins
The Binche-Chimay-Binche route dates back to 1911, though the modern memorial edition is more recent.