Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier claimed victory at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen (a flat, sprinters' classic held annually around the West Flemish village of Koolskamp, known to local fans as "Koolskamp Koers") for the second time since 2023, outpacing Dylan Groenewegen and Søren Waerenskjold in a mass sprint at the end of 180 kilometres. Groenewegen's second-place finish was notable given that he had suffered a muscle tear near his ribs just a week earlier after being struck by a motorcycle during training. Jasper Philipsen finished fifth, while Arvid de Kleijn took fourth place in the race, one of the oldest on the cycling calendar, dating back to 1908.