Binche–Chimay–Binche 2026 brings the peloton back to the roads of Hainaut in southern Belgium, following a demanding route between two towns with remarkably different histories. Known as the Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke, the race combines rolling countryside, narrow rural roads and a challenging finishing circuit in Binche, where cobbled streets and technical sections provide a fitting conclusion to this traditional autumn classic.
Around the Peloton follows the 2026 edition through the historical and cultural landscapes of Wallonia, from Binche’s medieval fortifications and UNESCO-recognised Carnival traditions to Chimay’s princely heritage and the rural communities of the region. Along the way, the race reveals traces of Belgium’s industrial past, centuries of local traditions and the distinctive character of Hainaut, connecting a modern cycling competition with the history of the territory it crosses.
Binche–Chimay–Binche travels through a part of Belgium that looks very different from the country portrayed by the great Flemish spring classics. There are no famous cobbled bergs rising from the fields of East Flanders, no procession of spectators on the…
