Belgium 20 Mar 2026 Class 1.Pro – 1 day – UCI ProSeries
Website www.bredenekoksijdeclassic.be
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The Bredene Koksijde Classic 2026 is actually taking place today, Friday, March 20, 2026. This 1.Pro-level Belgian semi-classic is a staple for the sprinters, often characterized by the coastal winds of West Flanders.
Race Schedule & Key Times
The event follows a packed schedule from the morning presentations through the late afternoon finish:
| Event | Time (CET) |
| Team Presentation | 11:05 – 12:05 |
| Rider Alignment | 11:55 |
| Official Start (KM 0) | 12:15 |
| Live TV Coverage Begins | 14:45 |
| Estimated Finish | ~16:31 |
Route Details
- Distance: 203.4 km
- Start: Bredene (moving through Ostend)
- Finish: Koksijde
- Terrain: Mostly flat but notoriously exposed. The race typically includes a mid-section featuring climbs like the Kemmelberg, followed by a flat run-in to the finish that consists of local laps in Koksijde.
Notable Participants
The 2026 start list features several elite sprinters and “classics” specialists, including:
Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla)
Edward Theuns (Lidl-Trek) – Returning as the 2025 champion.
Fabio Jakobsen (Team Picnic PostNL)
Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R)
Pascal Ackermann (Team Jayco AlUla)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Bredene Koksijde Classic (formerly known as Handzame Classic) has evolved from a local kermesse into a high-stakes fixture for the world’s elite sprinters. Its history is a tale of rebranding and strategic growth within the dense Belgian cycling calendar.
1. The Handzame Roots (2002–2010)
The race began in 2002 as the Handzame Koerse, originally serving as a subdivision or “side-race” of the older Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen (Three Days of West Flanders).
- Status: In its early years, it was an amateur/pro-am event.
- Key Moment: In 2011, it broke away to become a standalone professional race, earning a 1.1 UCI classification.
2. The Era of WorldTour Sprinting (2011–2018)
As a standalone event, the race quickly gained a reputation as a “sprinters’ paradise.” Because the course is largely flat, it became the primary target for fast-finishers who weren’t suited for the brutal cobblestones of the Tour of Flanders.
- Notable Winners: Legends like Marcel Kittel (2016) and Kristof Terpstra (2015) used the race to tune their form for the spring classics.
- The Wind Factor: While the elevation is low, the race’s history is defined by echelons. The open fields of West Flanders often saw crosswinds tear the peloton apart before the finish in Handzame.
3. Move to Koksijde & Rebranding (2019–Present)
The biggest shift in the race’s identity occurred in 2019. The finish line moved from Handzame to the coastal town of Koksijde, and the start moved to Bredene.
- Name Change: It was officially renamed the Bredene Koksijde Classic.
- ProSeries Upgrade: In 2020, the UCI promoted the race to the 1.Pro category, the second-highest tier in professional cycling. This ensured that at least 50% of the participating teams would be from the WorldTour.
4. Recent Legacy & Champions
The race is now famous for its “split” personality: the middle section often tackles the Kemmelberg (the iconic climb from Gent-Wevelgem), while the finale is a lightning-fast sprint on the wide boulevards of Koksijde.
Recent Hall of Fame:
- 2023: Gerben Thijssen
- 2024: Luca Mozzato
- 2025: Edward Theuns
Key Historical Stats
- Most Wins: No rider has truly “dominated” the race yet, though several sprinters like Luka Mezgec and Pascal Ackermann have consistently finished on the podium.
- The “Coastal” Identity: By moving to Koksijde, the race cemented its status as a “Sea Classic,” making the North Sea winds a permanent tactical protagonist in the race’s story.
