Open VTT Dunes de Flandres 2026

The Open VTT Dunes de Flandres is a sand-based mountain bike race in Dunkerque, on France's northern coast. Participants select between 33.5 km or 50 km distances, with the sand itself being the defining characteristic: the beach provides sand under the wheels rather than typical forest tracks or hard-packed trails. It is designed for mountain bike enthusiasts seeking a more challenging, exposed effort by the sea. The course follows the beaches of the North, in a location where the land meets the Channel coast. The event attracts riders aiming to test themselves against competitors and manage the resistance, changing grip, and physical sensation of riding on sand. Dunkerque offers a maritime setting, with the Musée Portuaire nearby for those interested in the region's port history, and Lille and the Caps et Marais d'Opale regional park are accessible for extending the race trip into a wider exploration of Hauts-de-France.