Belgium 02 Mar 2026 Class 1.1 – 1 day – Class 1
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The Beobank Samyn Ladies 2026 is taking place today, Monday, March 2, 2026. This 15th edition of the race features a challenging route through the Hainaut province of Belgium, characterized by its signature mix of rolling hills and grueling cobbled sectors.
2026 Race Schedule
The race follows a tight afternoon schedule, starting in Quaregnon and finishing with several loops of a technical circuit in Dour.
| Event | Time (CET) | Location / Milestone |
| Start | 14:05 | Quaregnon (Grand Place) |
| 1st Finish Line Passage | ~14:40 | Entry to the local circuit in Dour |
| 2nd Finish Line Passage | ~15:20 | Completion of first local loop |
| 3rd Finish Line Passage | ~16:00 | Mid-race action on the cobbles |
| 4th Finish Line Passage | ~16:40 | Start of the final lap |
| Expected Finish | ~17:15 – 17:35 | Dour (Place de la Loge) |
The Route Details
The 2026 course covers a total distance of 133.4 km. It is divided into an opening “line” section followed by four full laps of a local circuit around Dour.
- Key Sectors: The local circuit (approx. 27 km) is where the race is usually won or lost. It includes the infamous Rue de Belle Vue and the Côte de la Roquette, both of which feature rough cobbles that favor powerful classics specialists.
- The Finish: The final straight in Dour is slightly uphill, which makes for a punishing sprint after a day of vibrating over stones.
How to Watch
If you are looking to catch the finale today:
- Live Stream: Coverage typically begins around 16:00 CET (10:00 AM ET).
- Broadcasters: In Belgium, it is aired on Sporza (VRT) and RTBF. Internationally, it is available on Eurosport/Discovery+ and FloBikes (in North America).
2026 Contenders
With Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx–Protime) having won the last two editions (2025 and 2026 in this timeline), she entered as the heavy favorite. Other riders to watch include Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) and Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ–Suez).
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Beobank Samyn Ladies is the current official name of the Belgian one-day road cycling race historically known as Le Samyn des Dames.
It is the women’s counterpart to the men’s Le Samyn (now the Ename Samyn Classic) and serves as the opening race of the cycling season in Wallonia. Despite its classification as a UCI 1.1 event, it is highly prestigious, often referred to as a “mini Paris-Roubaix” due to its challenging cobbled sectors.
Origins and Naming
The race is named in memory of José Samyn, a French cyclist who won the inaugural men’s edition in 1968 and tragically died following a race accident the following year.
- 2012: The first women’s edition was held, originally titled Le Samyn des Dames.
- 2026: For the current season, the race adopted Beobank as its title sponsor, leading to the name Beobank Samyn Ladies.
The Route and Style
The race is famous for its “Flanders-esque” feel, despite taking place in the French-speaking region of Wallonia.
- The Finish: It traditionally starts in Quaregnon and finishes in Dour.
- The Cobbles: The final circuits feature several brutal cobbled sections, including the Rue de Belle Vue and Côte de la Roquette.
- Strategic Change: In its early years (2012–2015), the race often ended in a bunch sprint. However, organizers altered the course in 2016 to include more technical cobbled sectors, making it a race for “power” riders and solo specialists rather than pure sprinters.
Historic Winners
The race has historically been dominated by Dutch riders, though it has seen winners from across the globe.
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2012 | Adrie Visser | Skil 1t4i |
| 2013 | Ellen van Dijk | Specialized–Lululemon |
| 2015 | Chantal Blaak | Boels–Dolmans |
| 2021 | Lotte Kopecky | Liv Racing |
| 2024 | Vittoria Guazzini | FDJ–Suez |
| 2025 | Lorena Wiebes | Team SD Worx–Protime |
| 2026 | Lorena Wiebes | Team SD Worx–Protime |
Note: Chantal van den Broek-Blaak holds the record for the most victories in the women’s race with three wins (2015, 2016, 2020).
Current Status (2026)
As of today, March 2, 2026, the race has just concluded (or is underway, as it was moved to a Monday this year to avoid clashing with other events). It remains a key part of the Lotto Cycling Cup, a season-long competition for Belgian one-day races.
The Role of Christine Majerus in the Samyn and beyond
Christine Majerus is a legendary figure in Luxembourgish cycling and has been a staple of Le Samyn des Dames (now the Beobank Samyn Ladies) throughout her career.
Although she officially retired from professional cycling at the end of the 2024 season, her history with this specific race is a perfect example of her role as a “super-domestique” and a tactical master.
Her Career Highlights at Le Samyn
Majerus was known for her incredible versatility on the cobbles, often finishing in the top 10 while simultaneously working to ensure a victory for her teammates at Team SD Worx (formerly Boels–Dolmans).
- The 2020 Masterclass (2nd Place): This was her best personal result at the race. Majerus finished 2nd, completing a dominant 1-2 finish for her team. Her teammate Chantal van den Broek-Blaak won solo, while Majerus won the sprint of the chasing group, beating out top riders like Lotte Kopecky and Ellen van Dijk.
- The “Road Captain” Role: In many other editions (like 2012 where she finished 8th, and 2016 where she finished 7th), she acted as the “road captain,” directing team tactics on the fly through the chaotic cobbled sectors of Dour.
- 2024 Final Appearance: Her last appearance at Le Samyn was in 2024, where she helped set the pace in a race eventually won by Vittoria Guazzini.
Why the Race Suited Her
Majerus was a multi-time National Champion in both Cyclo-cross and Road Racing. The Beobank Samyn Ladies is essentially a hybrid of the two:
- Technical Prowess: Her cyclo-cross background made her one of the most stable riders on the slippery, uneven stones of the Rue de Belle Vue.
- The “Workhorse” Ethic: She was famous for her loyalty. Even when she had the legs to win, she often neutralized attacks to protect her team’s leader.
Current Status: 2026
Since Majerus retired in late 2024, she is not competing in the 2026 edition of the Beobank Samyn Ladies today. However, her influence remains; she spent over a decade at SD Worx–Protime, the team that has dominated this race for years and continues to do so with riders like Lorena Wiebes.
Fun Fact: Majerus is a 41-time National Champion in Luxembourg across Road, Time Trial, and Cyclo-cross—a record that makes her one of the most decorated cyclists in history.
