2026-02-28T13:10:10.179Z The peloton are finished with the cobbled section, now just under three minutes behind the five leaders.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T13:06:39.883Z<\/p>\n The pace is steady on these cobbles, with no team wanting to lay the hammer down so early in the race.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T13:05:18.650Z<\/p>\n NSN are leading the peloton, in service of their leader Biniam Girmay.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T13:03:59.478Z<\/p>\n Crash for Matej Mohori\u010d. After such a tough 2025 season, that is not the start to his campaign the Slovenian would have wanted.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T13:03:10.965Z The tranquillity has been briefly interrupted by a cobbled sector, the Lange Munte. It\u2019s an isolated one, however, and the next isn\u2019t for another 15km.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:57:36.691Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:53:56.501Z<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of wind out there. With plenty of changes of direction to come once they enter the twists and turns of the finale, that could play a big factor in how this race unfolds.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:49:11.780Z<\/p>\n A second DNF to report – Dylan Vandenstorme of Team Flanders – Baloise.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:48:35.194Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:45:42.297Z We’re into the second half of the race, and things have calmed a little, with the gap allowed to grow back up to over 2:30.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:41:05.037Z<\/p>\n Another angle of the riders ascending the Eikenberg earlier.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:37:24.343Z The pace is up in the peloton, and the gap down – now to just below two minutes.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:36:43.597Z<\/p>\n Vergaerde had to abandon because of a crash.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:35:31.653Z<\/p>\n We have a first abandon of the day to announce – Lidl-Trek’s Otto Vergaerde. The team has already been ravaged by injury, with star man Mads Pedersen missing the start of the spring.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:31:00.674Z<\/p>\n The peloton going up the Eikenberg earlier. They’ll take the climb on again later in the day.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:28:22.324Z<\/p>\n This edition is unique in Omloop Nieuwsbald, in that it is the first to feature Mathieu van der Poel – arguably now the greatest classics rider of all time. We looked at how his presence in the race changes everything.<\/p>\n Game changer: How Mathieu van der Poel will completely alter the shape of this year’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:24:01.259Z<\/p>\n Not long until the women’s Het Nieuwsblad gets going. Be sure to have two tabs on the go and follow all the action along with us!<\/p>\n Omloop Het Nieuwsblad women LIVE – Another surprise or is the season’s opening cobbled Classic one for the favourites?<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:19:55.443Z The pace has calmed down during this long section in between climbs. As a result, the break’s lead is up to over four minutes.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:17:50.884Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:12:52.207Z<\/p>\n Mathias Vacek in the peloton, who impressed at last year\u2019s edition and is an outsider for the win today.<\/p>\n “I’m good, feeling good, I spent some days at a training camp and building up the shape towards the Classics and building up towards the Classics,” Vacek told Cyclingnews. “I’m in good shape so we’ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n As for the presence of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in Omloop, and how much that changes things, Vacek said, “Well the start list is always strong and full and if it’s not Mathieu it’s someone else. So I will try to follow and take my chance.”<\/p>\n The wind is always a big factor in Nieuwsblad and particularly if it’s a tailwind, that will help form the breaks. “We can expect a big fight there and for sure we have to be attentive to the wind and just focus because anything can happen anywhere and probably the race will open a bit earlier than usual.”<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:08:42.105Z Still the gap between the five leaders and the peloton remains at just under four minutes.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:07:04.645Z The riders are over the Eikenberg without incident. There\u2019s now a long flat stretch before the next time they have to take on the cobbles.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:05:25.808Z<\/p>\n Gianni Vermeersch in the peloton, one of the representatives of Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team.<\/p>\n “We’ve got Jordi [Meeus, fast finisher and allrounder], we’ve got Gianni Vermeersch who’s moved across with us [from Alpecin] the Van Dijke brothers (Mick and Tim) doing their first race, and I think everyone’s fit and healthy,” their DS Oli Cookson told Cyclingnews before the start.<\/p>\n “I wouldn’t say we’ve got the favourite but we’ve got a strong team and I think we’ve seen over the last 10 to 15 years the winners of this race have been, not a surprise, but probably not the actual favourites. So that’s where using the strength and depth of the team and communicating come into play.”<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T12:00:47.045Z Still the break’s lead remains healthy, now up to about 3:50.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:57:30.432Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:54:27.345Z<\/p>\n Arnaud De Lie is a rider who has long promised to win a Spring Classic, ever since his star-making debut at Omloop Nieuwusbald three years ago, when he finished runner-up behind Dylan Van Baarle. A series of injury problems has curtailed his progress since then. Could this be the year he claims his first?<\/p>\n ‘When it comes to following Mathieu, I’m still lacking 50 watts’ \u2013 Arnaud De Lie argues Van der Poel will make for much more explosive Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:50:09.738Z<\/p>\n The scene at the level crossing.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:48:55.565Z<\/p>\n In a familiar sight in racing in this part of the world, the peloton were forced to stop briefly at a level crossing. The break was therefore also told to stop so that the gap remains the same. Thankfully things are relatively calm out there so none of the chaotic scenes we\u2019ve seen at level crossings in the past – as at the 2016 Paris-Roubaix<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:45:21.109Z The riders are over the first uphill obstacle of the day, the Leberg.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:43:33.958Z<\/p>\n Wet cobblestones, grizzled-looking cyclists – the Spring Classics are well and truly upon us!<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:38:11.581Z The lead remains round 3:30, as they near the second cobbled sector, and the first climb of the day – the Leberg.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:36:57.782Z<\/p>\n This is a rare race where UAE Team Emirates XRG aren\u2019t the top favourites, but they still fancy their chances.<\/p>\n \u201cToday we go for a hard race with Tim [Wellens], Florian [Vermeersch] and Nils [Politt]\u201d, their rider Rune Herregodts said before the race. \u201cThese guys are our main men and we’ll try to support them and help them to make a hard race. They’re in form, so for us it’ll be good if it’s an attritional race and we get a small group at the finish.”<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:34:46.485Z<\/p>\n Alpecin-Premier Tech and Soudal-QuickStep are the teams riding at the front of the peloton, staking their claims as favorites for the race for their respective leaders Van der Poel and Paul Magnier.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:31:48.714Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:30:28.588Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s begun to drizzle out there! The rain that was forecasted is materialising.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:27:39.867Z<\/p>\n 3:30 now for the break, who, at this early stage of the race, the peloton is happy to let lead by a considerable margin.<\/p>\n 160KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:26:36.871Z<\/p>\n While Van der Poel is the top favourite for victory today, his Alpecin-Premier Tech have more than just his card to play. Also lining up is Jasper Philipsen, who will have the luxury of being able to ride passively, while trying to preserve energy in the event that Van der Poel doesn\u2019t manage to go clear and the race comes down to a group sprint.<\/p>\n ‘Flemish Classics give me butterflies in my stomach’ \u2013 Jasper Philipsen prepared to take any opportunities to win this spring at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and beyond<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:22:14.547Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:20:50.585Z<\/p>\n The riders are negotiating the first of the day’s cobbled sectors, the Padeestraat. The rain has held off for now, but the later sectors could get very lairy if the heavens open before then.<\/p>\n COBBLES: PADDESTRAAT<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:18:23.495Z<\/p>\n The peloton evidently don’t feel threatened by anyone in that group – they’ve allowed them a lead of over three minutes.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:15:39.664Z<\/p>\n Here are the five riders up the road.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:14:29.899Z<\/p>\n Alexys Brunel, Alexis Renard,Vincent Van Hemelen and Cl\u00e9ment Alleno are the four riders with Krijnsen.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:12:43.033Z<\/p>\n Krijnsen is now with four other riders, and it seems the peloton is happy to sit up and let them up the road.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T11:05:11.605Z<\/p>\n While the second half of the race is dense with cobbled sections and climbs, this first half less so. The first cobbled sector doesn\u2019t come until 41km into the stage, and then there\u2019s just the climbs of the Leberg and Eikenberg between then and when things start to kick off just under 100km from the finish.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:59:50.552Z<\/p>\n Krijnsen’s lead over the peloton is neither growing nor falling, remaining steady at 18 seconds.<\/p>\n 180KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:58:10.194Z<\/p>\n The aforementioned Matt Brennan out on the road.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:56:41.403Z<\/p>\n Still Krijnsen remains the only rider out in front. It seems Lambrecht and De Jon might have been absorbed into the peloton after their fall.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:55:07.785Z<\/p>\n One rider who many are looking out for today is Matthew Brennan, the 20-year-old talent whose performances last year sent ripples through the peloton, and looks set to become a superstar.<\/p>\n In the absence of the ill Wout van Aert, he\u2019s one of Visma-Lease a Bike\u2019s best hopes of claiming what would be a fourth win here in five years, but the team are eager not to put too much pressure on their young star.<\/p>\n ‘It’s a steep learning curve, and this will add to it’ \u2013 Visma-Lease a Bike insist no extra pressure on Matthew Brennan in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad despite absence of Wout van Aert<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:50:22.317Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:46:56.968Z<\/p>\n Here was Van der Poel with Tom Pidcock at the start this morning. Pidcock is set to be one of Van der Poel’s main challengers today, on what will be one of only a few outings on the cobbles this spring, as he targets Strade Bianche and the Ardennes Classics coming up later.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:42:27.745Z<\/p>\n Jelte Krijnsen leads the peloton by 20 seconds, with Lambrecht and De Jong in between.<\/p>\n 190KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:39:49.756Z<\/p>\n That leaves Krijnsen in front alone, though it seems the two fallers are back and chasing him.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:37:56.878Z<\/p>\n Crash in the breakaway, Lambrecht and De Jong have gone down. It\u2019s unclear what happened exactly, they\u2019re in the relative safety outside of the peloton, and we\u2019re not even at the cobblestone yet.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:35:20.634Z<\/p>\n Perhaps not – the gap is now being reported as only 20 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:29:28.432Z<\/p>\n That trio already looks like it might be the break of the day, the peloton having allowed them about a minute’s lead already<\/p>\n 200KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:28:37.049Z<\/p>\n Time De Jong has been joined by two other riders at the front of the race – Michiel Lambrecht and Jelte Krijnsen.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:27:08.001Z<\/p>\n The riders at the unofficial start.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:25:29.909Z<\/p>\n As expected multiple more attacks are flying out of the peloton, which is yet to settle down.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:23:27.855Z<\/p>\n Arnaud De Lie and Dylan Van Baarle wrapped up warm at the start.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:21:09.135Z<\/p>\n There’s an attack right from the flag, by Picnic PostNL’s Timo de Jong.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:20:24.557Z<\/p>\n And they’re off! The classics season is at last underway.<\/p>\n OFFICIAL START<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:19:26.824Z<\/p>\n As for the all-important weather forecast: it\u2019s cold out there, but the rain has yet to materialise – for now. That could change later in the day, and could seriously alter the dynamic of the race.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:14:45.838Z<\/p>\n The official start looks set to be delayed a little as Van der Poel is making his way back up to the peloton from the convoy. Tension is building.<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:12:43.436Z<\/p>\n Be sure to have a read of our preview and run-down of contenders before racing gets underway.<\/p>\n A big-name debutant and a trio of former winners \u2013 Riders to watch at the men’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:10:39.833Z<\/p>\n The riders are in the neutralised zone. The Spring Classics season is almost upon us!<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T10:06:22.061Z<\/p>\n One rider for whom this race is the first race of the season is Mathieu van der Poel (pictured here at the team presentation), whose debut here is being eagerly anticipated. Having announced his intention to ride just a few days ago<\/a>, Van der Poel\u2019s presence changes the whole dynamic of how this race will be shaped.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-02-28T09:59:48.915Z<\/p>\n Welcome especially to the more traditional cycling fans, who will be tuning in today for the first time for what they believe is the \u2018real\u2019 start of the season.<\/p>\n While there\u2019s been plenty of great racing throughout the globe already this season, there\u2019s nothing quite like the cobbled classics.<\/p>\n 2026-02-26T13:05:03.417Z<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to the 2026 Omloop Nieuwsblad!<\/p>\n
\n90KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\nCOBBLES: LANGE MUNTE<\/p>\n![\"NIVONE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2FVrMvHxueoZUp2pcXFYv3.jpg\")
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\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"NIVONE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MYv56ns4zJVvnyaYLktV6b.jpg\")
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\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"NIVONE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5FS3DBojVABL2pPpahpQmD.jpg\")
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\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"NIVONE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/iePM5xkRFRmh7tRoSa2nAQ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Czech](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4Eoj5jfgAXr76jftBQ2zjd.jpg\")
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\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\nEIKENBERG<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/yAHHYuHjRThuBGQTN7GR8c.jpg\")
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\n140KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"NIVONE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EZ6G8DiV4edQk6Bzdte2UX.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sGsnziDi2eZroqZ9viP6EW.jpg\")
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\nLEBERG<\/p>\n![\"NIVONE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QLsShjPa8crWMdPKGoXFcZ.jpg\")
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\n<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bn4ipBaeyZUnjdPUm9wKZa.jpg\")
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\n<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/koDkXjZ7cFBETCdh2Q8o8E.jpg\")
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\n<\/p>\n![\"GHENT,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gzjaweX2b4NhfTCUEgaCo.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KVnyLBktFmHfd82bJPQSLQ.jpg\")
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