Danilith Nokere Koerse Women 2026 Preview
Analysis written by Diego Martín (@calebthemartin)
Danilith Nokere Koerse 2026: Information.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 18/03/2026 |
| Category | 1.PRO |
| First edition | 2019 |
| Most wins | Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky (2) |
HOW TO FOLLOW DANILITH NOKERE KOERSE 2026
You can watch Danilith Nokere Koerse 2026 live on various TV channels and platforms, among which we highlight Eurosport/MAX, with coverage starting at 12:15 p.m.
In addition, we recommend following the official X account (@NokereKoerse) as well as the hashtags (#DanilithNokereKoerse#NokereKoerse #DNK26).
ROUTE ANALYSIS OF DANILITH NOKERE KOERSE 2026
- Schedule: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (UTC+1, Madrid)
Danilith Nokere Koerse 2026 will feature a 133-kilometre route, ten categorised climbs and numerous cobbled sectors. Compared with 2025, the Nokere Koerse course presents hardly any significant changes. It keeps its essence: a route packed with cobbled sectors and short climbs which on their own are not that decisive, but which overall produce almost constant wear throughout the day.
The main change introduced in 2025 — the finish on Waregemsestraat instead of the traditional finish on the cobbles of Nokereberg — is maintained in 2026 as well. It is not an excessively hard climb, but after a day like this it does influence the possible sprint.
After some relatively calm opening kilometres, the peloton will head to the Lange Ast climb, which usually serves to start stretching out the bunch. After several stretches of pavé the race will enter a lull before the "demanding central phase". There the riders will tackle five climbs in just a few kilometres, among them Hellestraat, Holstraat and Petegemberg (the toughest of the day). This block of climbs, together with the narrow roads and irregular pavé, usually causes the first selections or breakaways of the day.
The second half of the race is held on a circuit around Nokere where some of the climbs are repeated. Lange Ast returns to the spotlight, as does Nokereberg. Within the final five kilometres the riders will have to tackle a 1 km cobbled segment before facing the final ascent via Waregemsestraat. The fatigue and positioning in this cobbled sector can be a key factor of attrition before the decisive uphill sprint.
Below are the ten climbs of the day:
| # | Climb | Length | Average gradient | Distance to finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lange Ast | 0.40 km | 5.2 % | 118.4 km |
| 2 | Hellestraat | 1.50 km | 3.8 % | 87.0 km |
| 3 | Holstraat | 1 km | 5.2 % | 82.6 km |
| 4 | Petegemberg | 0.50 km | 7.6 % | 77.8 km |
| 5 | Pareelstraat | 0.60 km | 4.5 % | 75.4 km |
| 6 | Nokereberg | 0.35 km | 5.7 % | 69.1 km |
| 7 | Lange Ast | 0.40 km | 5.2 % | 51.2 km |
| 8 | Nokereberg | 0.35 km | 5.7 % | 37.8 km |
| 9 | Lange Ast | 0.40 km | 5.2 % | 19.9 km |
| 10 | Waregemsestraat (finish) | 1 km | 4 % | — |
THE WEATHER
Weather is not expected to be a major factor. The chance of rain is practically zero. The wind is expected to blow lightly with averages close to 10 km/h and gusts of up to 25 km/h. Temperatures will be mild but pleasant during the race, between 14 and 17 degrees.
PARTICIPANTS IN DANILITH NOKERE KOERSE 2026
FAVOURITES FOR DANILITH NOKERE KOERSE 2026
Preamble
The goal of many riders in Danilith Nokere Koerse 2026 is such a worn-out cliché that we should avoid naming it. On the other hand, for some riders this classic can be a turning point in their calendar or in their form, or else the definitive confirmation.
We are used to seeing the race usually decided in a sprint between a few riders or in a reduced group. But we must not forget that a solo victory is also possible. Kopecky has already shown us that twice.
Big favourites
The Belgian Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx Protime) is our big favourite to take Nokere Koerse 2026. Kopecky has gone almost a year without winning a classic. Her last victory was in Flanders. Although we have seen some green shoots from the Belgian – especially on the track – she has not yet put her fist down on the table to confirm that she is back at her best level.
Her compatriot Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance-Soudal) is another of the big favourites for victory in Nokere. A gold in madison and a bronze in omnium at her first European Championships after her two-year doping ban attest that the Belgian has made up for lost time. On the road she has already been showing small flashes of her quality. Valencia, Nieuwsblad and van het Hageland are proof of that. A top favourite in the event of a sprint finish from any group.
The Dane Emma Norsgaard and the Frenchwoman Clara Copponni (Lidl-Trek) are two riders who usually get some individual opportunities throughout the season. This classic, with climbs that are not excessively long or hard, suits their characteristics quite well.
The Irishwoman Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) is becoming one of the reference sprinters this season. She showed it in the United Arab Emirates, finishing close to Wiebes. Two weeks ago she made up for it in Le Samyn and van het Hageland with a win and a second place. She should be the rival to try to drop before a possible sprint finish. She will be well supported by the American Megan Jastrab.
The Swede Caroline Andersson and the Dutch rider Quinty Ton (Liv AlUla Jayco) are two other classics specialists to keep in mind. Despite their progress in recent years, they still do not know victory. They are not the fastest riders, but if the race is made hard we will need to keep them very much in mind.
Other contenders
Although we have quite a few doubts about the final start list, there are many riders who in principle could have chances in this edition of Nokere Koerse.
If the race is not excessively hard, riders with a strong turn of speed such as the Austrian Kathrin Schweinberger, the Canadian Maggie Coles-Lyster (Human Powered Health), the Australian Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco), the Belgians Julie De Wilde and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Premier Tech), the Spaniard Alicia González (St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93), the Cuban Arlenis Sierra, the Briton Carys Lloyd (Movistar), the Briton Josie Nelson (Picnic PostNL) or the Italian Sara Fiorin (Laboral Kutxa - Fundación Euskadi) could have their opportunities.
We should also not forget other riders well suited to one-day races such as the Canadian Alison Jackson (St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93), the Frenchwoman Gladys Verhulst-Wild (AG Insurance-Soudal), the Norwegian Camilla Rånes Bye (Minimax), the Dutch riders Eline Jansen and Amber van der Hulst (VolkerWessels), the Belgian Marthe Goossens (AG Insurance - Soudal) or the surprising Norwegian Kamilla Aasebø (Uno-X Mobility).