Description
May 14, 2026
59th Lotto Circuit de Wallonie 2026 🇧🇪 (1.1) ME – La Louvière – Charleroi : 196,1 km
Circuit de Wallonie is a UCI 1.1 classification that unfolds across the undulating,
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May 14, 2026
59th Lotto Circuit de Wallonie 2026 🇧🇪 (1.1) ME – La Louvière – Charleroi : 196,1 km
Circuit de Wallonie is a UCI 1.1 classification that unfolds across the undulating, forested landscapes of Belgium’s Walloon Region, where the roads rise and fall through a mix of rolling hills, steep valleys, and technical climbs that define the Ardennes’ rugged charm. The terrain is a relentless succession of short, punchy ascents and longer, grinding climbs, with gradients often reaching 8–10% on the steepest ramps, particularly on roads like the Côte de Bohissau or Côte de Falisolle, where the road tilts upward abruptly, forcing riders to accelerate hard and dig deep into their reserves. The descents are fast and technical, their tight bends and narrow lanes demanding precision and control, while the flatter sections are often exposed to crosswinds that sweep across the open plateaus, turning the race into a tactical battle for position. The race dynamics are shaped by these climbs and wind-exposed stretches, with attacks launching on the steepest ramps or during moments of echelon formation, the peloton thinning as fatigue sets in. The final kilometers often feature a decisive ascent or a fast, technical run-in, where a reduced bunch sprints for victory, or a small group of riders who have escaped the chaos battle it out in a tense, high-speed finish. The Circuit de Wallonie is a race that rewards strength, strategy, and resilience, testing riders’ ability to endure the relentless climbing and tactical nuances of a course that embodies the spirit of Walloon cycling.
Riley Sheehan (NSN Development Team) won the reduced bunch sprint at Circuit de Wallonie for his first victory in three years.
The 25-year-old US rider launched his acceleration on the slightly uphill finish from fifth position and had time to glance back before the line to see rivals several bike lengths behind. Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) went second and Joren Bloem (Unibet Rose Rockets) took third.
Sheehan last won at 2023 Paris-Tours, riding his first season with the squad when it was at the ProTour level.
Thursday’s Belgian race covered 196.1km from la Louvière to Charleroi. An attack in the final 15km of the finish circuit was made by Fred Wright (Pinarello Q36.5) and the British rider took a solo lead, but was caught with 5km to go. The peloton was reduced to less than 20 riders for the finale, with Sheehan the best of the bunch.
Results :
 ME </strong> - La Louvière - Charleroi : 196,1 km
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Circuit de Wallonie is a UCI 1.1 classification that unfolds across the undulating, forested landscapes of Belgium’s Walloon Region, where the roads rise and fall through a mix of rolling hills, steep valleys, and technical climbs that define the Ardennes’ rugged charm. The terrain is a relentless succession of short, punchy ascents and longer, grinding climbs, with gradients often reaching 8–10% on the steepest ramps, particularly on roads like the Côte de Bohissau or Côte de Falisolle, where the road tilts upward abruptly, forcing riders to accelerate hard and dig deep into their reserves. The descents are fast and technical, their tight bends and narrow lanes demanding precision and control, while the flatter sections are often exposed to crosswinds that sweep across the open plateaus, turning the race into a tactical battle for position. The race dynamics are shaped by these climbs and wind-exposed stretches, with attacks launching on the steepest ramps or during moments of echelon formation, the peloton thinning as fatigue sets in. The final kilometers often feature a decisive ascent or a fast, technical run-in, where a reduced bunch sprints for victory, or a small group of riders who have escaped the chaos battle it out in a tense, high-speed finish. The Circuit de Wallonie is a race that rewards strength, strategy, and resilience, testing riders’ ability to endure the relentless climbing and tactical nuances of a course that embodies the spirit of Walloon cycling.
Riley Sheehan (NSN Development Team) won the reduced bunch sprint at Circuit de Wallonie for his first victory in three years.
The 25-year-old US rider launched his acceleration on the slightly uphill finish from fifth position and had time to glance back before the line to see rivals several bike lengths behind. Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) went second and Joren Bloem (Unibet Rose Rockets) took third.
Sheehan last won at 2023 Paris-Tours, riding his first season with the squad when it was at the ProTour level.
Thursday's Belgian race covered 196.1km from la Louvière to Charleroi. An attack in the final 15km of the finish circuit was made by Fred Wright (Pinarello Q36.5) and the British rider took a solo lead, but was caught with 5km to go. The peloton was reduced to less than 20 riders for the finale, with Sheehan the best of the bunch.
<strong>Results : </strong>
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