Circuit Franco-Belge

The Circuit Franco-Belge (known as the Tour de Wallonie-Picarde in 2011 and as the Eurométropole Tour until 2022) is a one-day cycling race held in Belgium and France, and it was traditionally the last stage race of the cycling season on Belgian soil. First organized in 1924, the event typically takes place in early October. Until 2015, the race was held as a stage race, but since 2016, it has been a one-day race with a 1.HC classification.  The race starts in Poperinge, West Flanders, and finishes in Tournai, Hainaut.

When it was a multi-day race, most stages were flat and usually culminated in a mass sprint, leading to very tight differences in the overall standings. For instance, Marco Zanotti won in 2005 by a mere three-second margin over Jimmy Casper, who was just one second ahead of Sébastien Hinault in third place.

Recent winners of the Circuit Franco-Belge

2023: Arnaud De Lie (Belgium)
2022: Alexander Kristoff (Norway)
2021: Fabio Jakobsen (Netherlands)
2020: No race due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Piet Allegaert (Belgium)
2018: Mads Pedersen (Denmark)
2017: Daniel McLay (Great Britain)
2016: Dylan Groenewegen (Netherlands)
2015: Alexis Gougeard (France)