Wout van Aert returns to competition in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

The Opening Weekend, which begins with the mini Tour of Flanders known as the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, will take place next Saturday, February 28, marking the start of one of the most exciting and always spectacular parts of each season. A month and a half without a weekend of respite to savor the most exquisite cycling, the kind that is contested without holding back or saving a gram of strength, the cycling of the classics. Come in and enjoy.

Favorites to Win the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

As every year, the Opening Weekend of the Belgian classics, which kicks off with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, is a moment of uncertainty regarding how the expected protagonists will perform in the cobbled races. It is true that some have already been doing their homework at the start of the season, and we can trust that they will be at the front in this first cobbled classic.

RECOMENDADO

The Cape Epic 2026 is left without a rainbow jersey, an accident with a car door leaves Keegan Swenson injured

Complete guide with the Classics and Monuments of Spring 2026

Victor Koretzky wins and enlarges his legend in Banyoles

Nicole Koller triumphs at the XCO Cathedral after controlling the race

Banyoles brings together the best XCO in the world again: favorites, schedules, and how to watch

A Tour winner or too much pressure for Paul Seixas

Among those in good form who are expected to perform well in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, we must mention two. On one hand, there is the veteran Tim Wellens, who emulated his team leader in the Jaén Paraíso Interior, keeping the wolves at bay to deliver a tremendous ride that led him to a victory he had been seeking since the first edition of that race.

The other rider we need to keep an eye on is Tom Pidcock, who has set his main goal for this first part of the season as the Strade Bianche, a race that better suits his characteristics. However, he has already shown that he can be at the front on the cobbles and arrives in Belgium with the sweet taste of having won the last stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía with great superiority.

The doubt and also the desire of a large part of the fans is focused on the return of Wout van Aert to competition. There is a strong desire to see the Belgian fighting for a victory on the cobbles again. Although it is tough to start the season in a race of this level of demand, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider has the class necessary to perform in such a setting, and we have no doubt that he will leave us with good displays of his quality.

Despite the toughness offered by the climbs, we should not rule out the arrival of a large group, as happened last year. This situation will likely be forced by the NSN and Alpecin teams in an attempt to win with Biniam Girmay and Jasper Philipsen, respectively.

Route of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026

The route remains unchanged from recent editions, replicating what it was, until a few years ago, when it moved its nerve center to Oudenaarde, of the Tour of Flanders. A race that starts in Ghent and traverses the most iconic climbs and cobbled sections of De Ronde, finishing in Ninove after a spectacular final stretch that ascends the mythical Muur-Kapelmuur, which connects with the also characteristic Bosberg.

A race of 207 kilometers that concentrates the climbs in the final third of the event. We will need to pay special attention starting from 45 kilometers to the finish, when the race faces the very tough and always selective Molenberg, after which the Leberg, Berendries, Tenbosse, Parikeberg, and, as a dessert, the aforementioned linked Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg follow without rest.

How to watch the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026

After the Winter Olympics, Eurosport is once again fully focused on cycling. In the case of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026, we will be able to follow it on both its Eurosport 2 channel and the HBO-Max platform starting at 1:30 PM next Saturday, February 28.

This schedule will allow us to see practically all the climbs of the race, as the connection will be made when there are approximately 100 kilometers remaining to the finish.