The Flandrien 0.0 Classic is a 199-kilometre one-day race departing from Brakel and finishing in Haacht on September 19, 2026. Classed as a 1.Pro event, the hilly profile through the Belgian countryside will thin out the peloton before a flat run-in to the finish, setting the stage for either a reduced sprint or a well-timed late move. The route is typical Belgian autumn fare — punchy and relentless without being a pure climbers' day.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Jasper Philipsen stands alone at the top of this preview. His record in hilly races with flat finishes over the past 90 days is extraordinary — four wins including stages at the Renewi Tour, the Tour de France, and the Baloise Belgium Tour — and his sprint ability is comfortably the best in this field. On a day that ends in Haacht, he should be the man to beat.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Jasper Philipsen is the clear top favourite: he has been the dominant force in similar-profile races recently, winning stage 5 and stage 4 of the Renewi Tour, stage 17 of the Tour de France, and stage 5 of the Baloise Belgium Tour, racking up six top-3 finishes in all. With the race finishing flat in Haacht and one of the best sprint abilities in this field, he is perfectly suited to a fast bunch conclusion.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Laurence Pithie and Natnael Tesfazion are the riders most likely to challenge Philipsen. Pithie has been remarkably consistent — six top-3 finishes and a win in Slovenia — while Tesfazion combines a recent win in Getxo with seven top-10 performances in similar races. Both have the hills ability and the current form to feature in any finale.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Laurence Pithie has been a consistent performer in hilly races lately, winning stage 3 of the Tour of Slovenia and adding six top-3 finishes in similar terrain. His well-rounded hills ability and strong cobbles profile make him a genuine threat if he can make it to a reduced sprint.
Movistar
Movistar
Natnael Tesfazion arrives in form after winning stage 1 of the Circuito de Getxo — Memorial Hermanos Otxoa and recording seven top-10 finishes in comparable races. Movistar's strong team presence on the start sheet and his good hills profile make him one of the sharpest threats to Philipsen.
★★
Dark Horses
Jenno Berckmoes, António Morgado, and Roger Adrià form a credible second tier. Berckmoes won at the Renewi Tour on comparable terrain, Morgado has been steady rather than spectacular but picks up top finishes reliably, and Adrià combines the field's top hills rating with genuine recent results. Any of the three could land a podium on the right day.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
António Morgado has been quietly effective in this type of race, posting one top-3 and two top-5 finishes on similar terrain recently. His solid hills and cobbles profile makes him a reliable pick to feature at the pointy end if things break right.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Jenno Berckmoes is a dark horse with real credentials: his win in stage 3 of the Renewi Tour on a similar profile underlines his ability to perform at the finish of hilly one-day races. Lotto Intermarché's numbers on the start sheet will help him reach the final in good position.
Movistar
Movistar
Roger Adrià leads the startlist in hills suitability and has a top-3 and two top-5 finishes in comparable races over the past 90 days. The young Movistar rider has shown an ability to be present at the finish in reduced or punchy sprint situations, and Movistar's deep team here is an added asset.
★
Ones to Watch
Four riders make the list as ones to watch. Thibaud Gruel won on a similar profile at La Route d'Occitanie. Fabio Christen has quietly accumulated consistent results in this type of race. Biniam Girmay's sheer sprint quality keeps him in the conversation despite a thinner recent record on similar terrain. And Xandro Meurisse — experienced, dangerous in reduced groups — could spring a surprise for Pinarello-Q36.5.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Biniam Girmay brings top-tier sprint ability and strong hills credentials to this race, and his presence on the start sheet is never to be ignored in a race finishing on a flat Haacht straight. He has no recent similar-profile results listed, making him more of a wildcard, but his class lifts him into contention.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Fabio Christen has been quietly consistent on similar terrain with three top-10 finishes and a top-3 in comparable races recently. He represents good value as an outsider for a Pinarello-Q36.5 team with several options on the day.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
Thibaud Gruel won stage 1 of La Route d'Occitanie on a similar profile and has shown the ability to be decisive late in hilly races. He is not among the favourites given the competition in the sprint, but he is worth watching if a small group arrives.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Xandro Meurisse is a canny, experienced rider who secured a top-3 finish in a comparable race recently and brings excellent hills ability. Racing for Pinarello-Q36.5 alongside multiple teammates, he could benefit from chaos in the finale or serve as a surprise attacker.
Verdict
Jasper Philipsen is the overwhelming favourite on current form, with four wins in similar-profile races over the last 90 days; Laurence Pithie and Natnael Tesfazion are the most credible challengers if Philipsen is marked or caught out by the terrain.