Van der Poel kicks off the season on Saturday and reveals his calendar

It is official. Mathieu van der Poel will kick off his classics campaign this Saturday at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, as announced by his team, Alpecin-Premier Tech. The Dutchman returns to the asphalt after completing his cyclocross block and finishing an initial period of specific training before making a definitive decision about his return to the road.

From the Omloop to Roubaix: This Will Be Van der Poel's Spring

The Belgian team explained on social media that, “as announced after the Cyclocross World Championships, Mathieu would first complete his initial training block before deciding on his return to the road”. After “a solid few weeks on the bike,” the team confirms that the rider “feels ready to compete and will be at the start of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.”

Van der Poel's spring calendar will be very similar to last year's, with a classic preparation scheme leading up to the cobblestone Monuments. The roadmap includes:

• 28.02 – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
• 09.03 – Tirreno-Adriatico
• 21.03 – Milano-Sanremo
• 27.03 – E3 Saxo Classic
• 29.03 – Gent-Wevelgem
• 05.04 – Ronde van Vlaanderen
• 12.04 – Paris-Roubaix

The main novelty compared to 2025 is his return to Gent-Wevelgem. Last season, the Dutchman opted not to participate in the Flemish classic, but this time he includes it as a goal within his cobblestone block.

RECOMENDADO

Pogacar and the limits of the tire: Roubaix will determine how far one can go

How, when, and how much: the ultimate guide to carbohydrates for cyclists

It really works, and science backs it up: just running isn't enough anymore—strength training helps you improve

Pogacar is racing toward something never before seen in cycling

Why does Pogacar always wear lace-up shoes?

Bad odors and chafing? You’re washing your cycling clothes the wrong way

In statements prior to Wieler Revue, the team's sports manager, Christoph Roodhooft, made his position clear: “Last year, it was very clear that he did not want to participate in the opening weekend. I thought it was a shame because it is an important weekend for a Belgian team. I think it would be good for him to participate.” This request is now fulfilled with his presence in both the Omloop and the rest of the expanded Opening Weekend.

In his plan, Tirreno-Adriatico appears as a preparatory race before the first Monument of the year, Milano-Sanremo, where Van der Poel already knows what it is to win and where his explosiveness on the Cipressa or Poggio always makes him a reference.

Then comes the decisive cobblestone block with E3, Gent-Wevelgem, Flanders, and Roubaix, four events where he has historically made a difference and where the team will once again build its spring around its leader.

With this announcement, the Flemish classics kick off this Saturday, and once again, the peloton will have to measure itself against the absolute reference of the cobblestone in recent years.