Sunday 30 August 2026: Bretagne Classic - Plouay-Plouay (228km)

The Bretagne Classic returns to Plouay on August 30 for its 95th edition. The WorldTour one-day race covers 228.3 kilometres and includes around 3,663 metres of elevation gain, making it one of the more demanding classics of the second half of the season.

The route is slightly shorter than in recent editions, but the final circuit remains decisive. After a long opening loop, the riders complete three laps of a 16.6-kilometre circuit around Plouay, with the Côte de Ty-Marrec returning to the finale.

The combination of accumulated climbing, repeated short climbs and a technical finale makes the Bretagne Classic difficult to classify as either a pure sprinter's race or a race for climbers. Strong puncheurs and versatile classics riders are likely to have the best chance, while a reduced sprint remains a realistic outcome.

Arnaud De Lie won the 2025 edition ahead of Emilien Jeannière and Olav Kooij, while Marc Hirschi took the victory in 2024. The list of recent winners underlines the variety of rider profiles that can succeed in Plouay.

A selective race is expected in which positioning and consistency over the final three laps could be as important as raw climbing ability. The final selection may be small, but the course leaves several possible scenarios for the victory.