'I was dying in the end' - Filippo Ganna snatches victory from Wout van Aert in epic finish at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Will Conroy
Updated 01/04/2026 at 18:50 GMT+1
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Wout van Aert had his heart broken at the 80th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen after Filippo Ganna overtook him in the final 50 metres of Wednesday's race. The Belgian looked on course for his first Classics win since 2023 after launching his attack with 30km to go, but Ganna overcame damage to his front wheel and handlebars to claim his first one-day victory at the death.
'Nice if the finish was 150m earlier' - Van Aert reacts after being pipped on run to line
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) was left ruing the fact Dwars door Vlaanderen did not finish ”150 metres earlier” after Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) snatched victory from his grasp in the final stretch.
The Belgian attacked with around 30km to go in the 185km race and was on course for his first Classics win since 2023 before Ganna finally reeled him in and broke his heart with 50 metres to go.
In what was the fastest-ever edition of the Belgian Spring Classic, Ganna had made a number of attempts to close the gap on Van Aert in the final stages of the race, but only succeeded with the finish line in sight in Waregem.
"Obviously, it'd have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier, I tried everything I had," Van Aert told TNT Sports.
"I was really dying in the end, and if somebody passed me, then that's racing.
”I could feel the pace was slowly decreasing in the end, so I had to try and attack in search of victory. Until the very last moment, I thought it would be maybe just enough to make it.
"I almost never looked back, I just focused on my own effort, but after the last corners, suddenly Ganna was there.
”Suddenly, I saw a wheel right next to me, and then I knew that I would get nothing back.
"It was a good race, it was a bit of a strange race in the middle part, it got launched quite early, but there was some parts in the middle bit when we didn't really push on, let's say.
"So a lot of guys could come back, and it was quite a while before we could make a proper selection. After the Eikenberg, I did a good final, I believe."
Despite missing out on victory on Wednesday, Van Aert will take confidence from his display going into Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, building on his third-placed finish at Milano-Sanremo and another near-miss during In Flanders Fields last weekend.
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Ganna reflects on overcoming double bike change to seal 'amazing' win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ganna, meanwhile, overcame damage to his front wheel and handlebars during Wednesday’s race to claim the first one-day victory of his career.
”It was an impressive effort,” the 29-year-old said afterwards. ”All day, we were a bit unlucky. In the first part, after the first hill, I broke my front wheel and continued until changing the bike the first time. And then I broke my handlebars.
"I tried to help my team-mates, and today they did an amazing job for me and gave me massive support. In the end, I tried to give back all the support they gave me with an amazing victory.
”Wout made an impressive performance, to catch him was not easy, it’s an amazing victory for me."
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Ganna said he only started to believe he could catch the Belgian ”in the last corner of the race”, adding: ”Before, I think the group behind were chasing really fast and coming to catch me, but I’m really happy, and I hope it could be good morale for the team for the next races.”
On where this victory stands for him, he said: "I think it's one of the most important, especially in 'the University' of cycling," he smiled, holding up the air quotes. "It's really nice for me."
Ganna said that the Tour of Flanders ”is not in the programme” for him at the moment, but if his team ask him to race, ”then of course I’m ready to do it”.
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Highlights: Heartbreak for Van Aert as Ganna storms to stunning victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
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