Omloop van het Houtland brings sprinters to the flat farmland of West Flanders, where wind and positioning decide everything.
The 2026 Omloop van het Houtland takes place on September 23 in West Flanders, Belgium. The race runs through the Houtland region, flat terrain defined by exposure to wind and the absence of signature climbs, where echelons and positioning matter more than gradient.
Tim Merlier won in 2025 and recent editions have consistently rewarded sprinters who can handle West Flemish positioning battles. The flat, windswept Houtland terrain strips away the climbs and leaves wind direction, echelon racing, and late-race acceleration as the deciding factors.
The race runs through flat West Flemish farmland with no significant climbs. Wind direction is the primary race-shaping factor. If crosswinds hit, expect echelons and early splits. If not, expect a bunch sprint from a large group.
Coverage for Omloop van het Houtland 2026 in US depends on broadcaster rights. Check the Watch tab for the latest availability.
Omloop van het Houtland 2026 runs Sep 23, 2026. Stage start and end times are listed on the race and stage pages.
Channel availability varies by country. Use the country selector to see local broadcasters.
Defending champion: Tim Merlier (2025)
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tim Merlier |
| 2024 | Max Walscheid |
| 2023 | Gerben Thijssen |
