2025 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Race Preview: The it appears a very long time for the reason that season began in Australia, however in actuality for a lot of, the biking yr begins this Saturday with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The primary Traditional battle on Flemish roads of 2025 will see Wout van Aert attempt to win for the second time, however he must struggle Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay, Tom Pidcock and Arnaud De Lie. Our Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025 preview seems again on the historical past, and forward to the course and contenders.
2024 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
The Final 10 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Winners:
2024: Jan Tratnik (Slo)
2023: Dylan van Baarle (Ned)
2022: Wout van Aert (Bel)
2021: Davide Ballerini (Ita)
2020: Jasper Stuyven (Bel)
2019: Zdeněk Štybar (CZ)
2018: Michael Valgren (Den)
2017: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel)
2016: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel)
2015: Ian Stannard (GB)
2014: Ian Stannard (GB).
Het Volk, Gent-Gent or Het Nieuwsblad
The late and far missed, Ed Hood took a stroll down ‘Reminiscence Lane’ just a few years in the past for a take a look at a dozen prime editions.
Jean Bogaerts – Two time winner
1945: The very first version was known as the ‘Omloop van Vlaanderen’ however this upset the rival Het Nieuwsblad newspaper as a result of it sounded an excessive amount of like ‘Ronde van Vlaanderen’ which was their child; therefore it turned ‘Het Volk’ with Belgian exhausting man, Jean Bogaerts taking the primary of two wins – he’d win once more in 1951.
Albert Sercu in 1947
1947: have you ever ever questioned why the late, nice Patrick Sercu was so quick and versatile? He selected his mother and father effectively; with dad Albert successful this version of Het Volk.
Ernest Sterckx – Triple winner
1956: Ernest Sterckx turns into the primary triple winner after wins in ’52 and ’53 – an actual Belgian ‘Classicer’ with wins in Flèche Wallonne, Gent-Wevelgem and two wins in Paris-Brussels, which was an enormous race again in these days.
Shay Elliott forward of Anquetil
1959: Shay Elliott of Eire makes historical past as the primary ‘Anglo’ to win a Traditional, it will be 55 years earlier than the feat was repeated by that man, Stannard. And with reference to Irish exhausting males, this was a race effectively suited to the talent set of ‘King Kelly’ however second to Etienne De Wilde in 1989 was as a detailed as he received – and there have been additionally two third locations for him.
Roger’s first win
1969: Roger De Vlaeminck wins, ‘sure, however he gained quite a lot of races,’ I hear you say. This was his FIRST ever skilled occasion – class, he’d win once more a decade later in 1979.
Jos Bruyere
1980: Eddy Merck’s proper hand man, Jos Bruyere turns into the second rider to, ‘do the triple’ after wins in ’74 and ’75. An enormous of a person, exhausting as nails, oblivious to atrocious climate his palmarès embody two Liege-Bastogne-Liege wins and an extended spell within the maillot jaune in 1978.
De Fons on De Muur
1982: Englishman Graham Jones was class and it took a person of even better class, Residence Boy, Fons de Wolf to disclaim Jones the win on this version. yr for Anglos, Jones second, Kelly third and the late Paul Sherwen eighth. Jones might have been a lot extra however in true Gallic model of the time was raced to a frazzle by Peugeot.
The late Gerrie Kneteman and Paul Sherwen in Omloop Het Volk 1983
1988: Rony Van Holen wins and it’s one of many few instances in latest historical past if you may say; ‘who?’ of an Omloop winner. Regardless of sporting an extravagant mullet, Van Holen was elegant; World Junior Highway Race Champion in 1977 he gained an infinite variety of races as an beginner and while he maybe by no means reached the heights anticipated as a professional he gained the Pino Cerami, Brabantse Pijl, Samyn and the Jef Scherens twice.
Johan Museeuw, Frank Vandenbroucke and three time Het Volk winner Peter van Petegem on the Molenberg
2002: and ‘De Pete’ aka Peter Van Petegem joins ‘Recordmen’ Sterckx and Bruyere on three wins after his ’97 and ’98 wins. An actual Flandrian exhausting man with two Rondes and a Paris-Roubaix amongst his palmarès. Vik and I had been over in Belgium for the Nationwide Championships one yr and handed the good man in our automotive while he was out on a coaching run. We rolled down the window and gave him a shout; a nod and a grunt had been returned. Once we instructed our Belgian buddies, they reckoned we should have caught him in a chatty temper.
Juan Antonio Flecha 2010
2010: A Spaniard successful a cobbled traditional? And one born in Argentina? Juan Antonio Flecha supplied the fledgling Group Sky with an enormous increase when he gained the Omloop and received their season off to a terrific begin – nonetheless, that was nearly as good because it received for the workforce that yr; earlier than their remorseless ascendancy started.
Ian Stannard within the Omloop 2015
2015: We’d watched Ian Stannard beat GVA to win in 2014 however this yr, when he was away within the last with THREE Fast-Steps – Tremendous Stars Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra plus human freight prepare, Stijn Vandenbergh, his probabilities of a repeat win regarded slim. ‘Shocked silence’ doesn’t adequately describe the eerie quiet within the bar the place we watched the previous few kilometres, when Stannard rolled all three of them – outstanding.
Ed Hood shall be in Flanders this weekend in spirit
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Parcours
After the workforce presentation within the Kuipke velodrome in Gent and the unofficial begin, the true begin is in Merelbeke. The peloton can have slightly below 200 kilometres in entrance of them. Within the first 100 kilometres of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the peloton will cross by means of the Zwalmstreek, Zottegem, Nazareth and Oudenaarde. Solely the cobbles of the Paddestraat, Lange Munte and Haaghoek-Leberg are the primary obstacles within the first a part of the race. After 100 kilometres, the climbs come one after the opposite. The ‘feed zone’ after 114 kilometres is the beginning of the a part of the Omloop. Roughly each 10 kilometres, the riders will hit a pointy climb. The Haaghoek-Leberg (once more) is the primary, adopted quickly after by the Valkenberg.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025 map
With 55 kilometres to go, the ultimate actually begins with the newly redeveloped Eikenberg, 3 kilometres later is the Wolvenberg. That climb, with out cobbles, will not be too tough, however proper after that there’s the cobbles of the Holleweg, the Karel Martelstraat and Jagerij. For just a few editions the Molenberg was not on the route, it’s now again once more. The race ought to now be ‘full on’.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025 profile
Subsequent up is the Haaghoek-Leberg-Berendries. On the prime of the extraordinarily steep Berendries it’s only 28.5 kilometres to the end in Ninove. A number of kilometres later the Vossenhol follows, after which there’s an ‘simple’ part. It’s not flat in that half, however the Muur van Geraardsbergen is looming. The enduring cobbled climb is 16 kilometres from the end. If the race has not but been selected the Muur, there’s nonetheless the Bosberg. After the Bosberg it’s only 12 kilometres to Ninove. The end line of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad will not be within the Onderwijslaan this yr, however like final yr within the Elisabethlaan, which is a barely wider end, and one which rises barely in direction of the road.
Omloop Nieuwsblad 2025 Males: Gent to Ninove
PEZ Picks Our Favourite Riders
There are numerous totally different situations doable within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Riders can escape on the hills or on the cobbles, and a small group preventing for victory, can also’t be dominated out and even a ‘bunch’ dash might occur. Keep in mind the version with a headwind, when Ballerini gained? That might occur in Ninove. Something might occur, so listed here are the primary protagonists for Saturday.
No.1 Wout van Aert?
The largest identify initially is must be Wout van Aert, who’s opening his Traditional marketing campaign within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The Visma | Lease a Bike chief was racing final week within the Clasica Jaen and the Volta ao Algarve, the place he had blended outcomes. Within the Spanish one-day race he didn’t really feel good, so he rode for his teammates. Then in Portugal he wasn’t nice within the sprints he contested. Though, his second place within the last time trial was a great signal. Van Aert has stated that his targets are later within the yr, and lately he has proven that he can work for his Visma | Lease a Bike teammates. The Slovenian Jan Tratnik was in a position to profit from that final yr. This yr, Tiesj Benoot, Matteo Jorgenson, Victor Campenaerts and maybe additionally Per Strand Hagenes are the lads who’re able to assault and break up the race. You by no means understand how that may work out. The Dutch workforce will miss Christophe Laporte, who has not been in a position to prepare because of sickness.
Younger Antonio Morgado might be the UAE man to look at
Visma | Lease a Bike has gained the final three editions, however they are going to be up-against a robust UAE Emirates XRG, which is not going to have Tadej Pogačar, however that provides alternatives for the others within the workforce. Florian Vermeersch is considered one of them, however the UAE workforce additionally has 21-year-old Antonio Morgado, who has had a terrific begin to his season. He has raced 13 days already in 2025, and gained the Gran Premio Castellón and Figueira Champions Traditional. Morgado has learnt loads since final spring. A fifth place within the Tour of Flanders was a great indications to his class and that he’s a Classics-man for the longer term, however perhaps the Omloop may be his first.
Narváez has the TDU win in is belt already
The workforce additionally has Jhonatan Narváez, whose transfer to UAE Emirates XRG has already been a hit. The Ecuadorian gained the Tour Down Underneath in January. He’s an attacking rider with a quick end. The Emirates has the power-house of Nils Politt, second final yr, and Tim Wellens, who has began his season effectively. Mikkel Bjerg, Filippo Baroncini and Rune Herregodts can even be in Flanders.
Arnaud De Lie thinks he has an opportunity within the Omloop
On the Lotto workforce presentation, Arnaud De Lie stated he has made one prime Traditional his important purpose for the spring and the Omloop is the Traditional the place he thinks he has the best probability of successful. The Belgian champion, who needed to abandon the Tour of the Algarve on the ultimate day with allergy symptoms, stated: “It has actually develop into a particular race for me. That begins with the environment within the Kuipke and the environment is usually very particular all through the race. Within the Belgian (champion’s) jersey that may most likely be much more enjoyable. In any case, it’s a massive purpose.”
Pidcock has the early season type
For Tom Pidcock, the Omloop is the one cobbled Traditional he’ll trip on this spring, and likewise his solely probability to win in Flanders. The race most likely isn’t finest suited to the Yorkshireman, however with fifth and eighth locations, exhibits that he may be ‘up there’. Expectations are excessive at Q36.5, because the Swiss workforce particularly recruited Pidcock to take them up a step. Thus far this season Pidcock has regarded good, however the AlUla and Andalucia are very totally different from Flemish roads.
Jasper Philipsen will win the dash… If he’s nonetheless there
If the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad finishes in a bunch or group dash, then Jasper Philipsen is the fastest-finisher, however the man from Limburg is greater than only a sprinter. He at all times performs effectively within the spring, particularly in Paris-Roubaix, however he hasn’t performed a lot on the Flemish hills. In his 4 earlier participations, Philipsen has by no means completed within the prime 30. The Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter might do one thing, however an outdoor wager.
A bunch or group dash would additionally swimsuit Biniam Girmay. After he gained the inexperienced jersey within the 2024 Tour de France, the Intermarché-Wanty chief is predicted to take an even bigger function within the Classics. “I’ve merely gained extra expertise. I do know my physique higher and higher and I do know what I’ve to do to be prepared for crucial races, how I’ve to organize myself,” he stated on the workforce presentation. He additionally stated that dangerous climate wouldn’t be an issue. Girmay needs to win Classics, however his important purpose for this spring is Milan-Sanremo.
Paul Magnier – Soudal Fast-Step’s younger hope
Soudal Fast-Step was once the primary workforce to say in a Flemish Traditional preview, however the workforce doesn’t have that massive man for the cobbled races in the mean time. Though, Paul Magnier might be their Classics-man of the longer term. The 20-year-old Frenchman nonetheless has loads to study, however this might be his massive spring. Magnier has quite a lot of expertise with a great dash in his legs, and his season began effectively in Bèsseges and the Figueira Champions Traditional.
Las yr’s winner, Jan Tratnik, shall be initially for Crimson Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
The checklist of outsiders is massive: Crimson Bull-BORA-hansgrohe can have final yr’s winner, Jan Tratnik, Oier Lazkano, the Van Dijke brothers and Jordi Meeus. Matej Mohorič and Fred Wright will lead Bahrain Victorious, EF Training EasyPost can have former winner Michael Valgren and Kasper Asgreen and Groupama-FDJ has Stefan Küng.
Jasper Stuyven can present for Lidl-Trek
The opposite possibles are: Jasper Stuyven for Lidl-Trek within the absence of Jonathan Milan. The British time trialist, Joshua Tarling and Ben Turner will begin for INEOS Grenadiers. Ivan Garcia Cortina is the Movistar chief, Oliver Naesen and Pierre Gautherat for Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale. John Degenkolb leads Picnic PostNL, Alberto Bettiol can carry out for XDS Astana and Joe Blackmore might give Israel-Premier Tech a great consequence. Jonas Abrahamsen and Rasmus Tiller struggle for Uno-X Mobility and Matteo Trentin and Rick Pluimers would be the Tudor males to look at.
A second Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for Wout van Aert?
Favourites:
High: Wout van Aert
Up There: Antonio Morgado and Arnaud De Lie
Doable: Biniam Girmay, Tom Pidcock and Tim Wellens
Perhaps: Jasper Philipsen, Jhonatan Narvaez, Paul Magnier and Matteo Jorgenson.
* The ultimate begin checklist might change earlier than Saturday. *
# Keep PEZ for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad race report on Saturday and all of the information, together with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, in EUROTRASH Monday. #
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