Tim Merlier wins the 2026 Scheldeprijs from Terneuzen to Schoten , 205.2 km. The Belgian sprinter from Soudal Quick Step preceded Pavel Bittner in the sprint, second and Emilien Jeannière , third.

Merlier took advantage of Alpecin Deceuninck's efforts to launch Jasper Philipsen 's sprint, but the latter was pushed out too early by his teammates. Max Walscheid (Lidl Trek) took the lead with three hundred meters to go, attempting a long sprint, but at that point Merlier outpaced everyone else, launching at the perfect moment and going on to win.

Philipsen, on the other hand, missed an opportunity, finishing in eighth place, while Jordi Meeus did even worse, finishing fourteenth.  

ORDER OF ARRIVAL:  

1 Merlier Tim Soudal Quick-Step

2 Bittner Pavel Team Picnic PostNL,,

3 Jeannière Emilien TotalEnergies ,,

4 Rajović Dušan Solution Tech NIPPO Rali ,,

5 Eržen Žak Bahrain - Victorious,,

6 Hofstetter Hugo NSN Cycling Team,,

7 Dekker David BEAT CC p/b Saxo ,,

8 Philipsen Jasper Alpecin-Premier Tech ,,

9 De Schuyteneer Steffen Lotto Intermarché ,,

10 Crabbe Tom Team Flanders - Baloise ,,