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The 2026 Tour of Flanders men's race faces a dramatic moment as half the peloton is halted at a level crossing early in the competition. Approximately 30 riders, including Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), manage to continue their pursuit of a breakaway group of 13 riders.
Those caught behind the barriers are forced to pause as a passenger train rolls through. Race officials, riding motorbikes and in the director's car, instruct the front half of the peloton, led by confused UAE riders, to slow down and regroup.
After the barriers lift, the main bunch reconnects after about four kilometers of chasing. The level crossing incident initially widens the gap for the breakaway from 3:30 to 5:30. Such interruptions are classified as 'race incidents,' compelling riders to stop when barriers descend, or face disqualification.
This isn’t the first time level crossings impact a race. A notable example occurred during the 2015 Paris-Roubaix, when the majority of the peloton was delayed after the Arenberg Forest. In 2006, a similar situation resulted in the disqualification of three riders.
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