Marianne Vos Withdraws From Tour of Flanders After Father’s Death

Marianne Vos will not compete in the Tour of Flanders on April 5, 2026, following the death of her father, Henk Vos, who was 78 years old.

Visma-Lease a Bike announced the decision via social media on April 3, 2026, confirming that the team leader is prioritizing time with her family during this period of mourning.

Marianne Vos will not start in Tour of Flanders as she is staying with her family following the passing of her father last week

Visma-Lease a Bike

The team expressed its support for the rider in the same announcement, stating, We wish Marianne and her loved ones all the strength and support they need during this difficult time.

Impact of Family Illness on 2026 Season

The passing of Henk Vos follows a period of serious illness that has significantly influenced the structure of Vos’s current racing calendar. The Dutch rider had already opted out of several competitions in recent months to remain close to her family.

During the winter, the seven-time cyclo-cross World Champion elected not to compete in any races. In an interview with the Dutch news outlet NOS in January 2026, Vos explained that her father’s hospitalization became her primary focus.

This priority led to the decision to delay the start of her road campaign and skip several key events, including Milan-Sanremo and Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Recent Form and Career Context

Despite the personal challenges, Vos did make a brief return to competitive racing in Italy during March 2026. She finished seventh in her season opener at Strade Bianche and subsequently secured a sixth-place finish at Trofeo Alfredo Binda.

The Tour of Flanders holds particular significance for Vos, as she previously won the race in 2013. Her absence from the 2026 edition marks a significant shift in the team’s dynamics for the event.

Vos has maintained a high level of success across multiple disciplines over a professional career spanning more than 20 years. In 2025, she signed a landmark lifetime contract with Visma-Lease a Bike.

Team Strategy and Future Schedule

With Vos unavailable for the race on April 5, 2026, the Visma-Lease a Bike squad is expected to center its strategy around Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.

Ferrand-Prévot will be supported by a roster consisting of a combination of younger teammates and experienced riders to fill the gap left by the team leader.

It remains undecided whether Vos will return to competition later in the spring. However, she is currently provisionally listed for upcoming races, including the Amstel Gold Race and Paris Roubaix.