80th (Men's) Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - Saturday, March 1, 2025

[red_flanders]

And the "real" season begins! I couldn't wait.

Official Site: https://www.omloophetnieuwsblad.be/en
Course PDF: https://www.omloophetnieuwsblad.be/en/files/29066105-ed20-11ef-9445-0050569301fd/1739791298

Who ya got?

Startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/2025/startlist

 

[Sciatic]

And the "real" season begins! I couldn't wait.

Thanks for launching this—marks the start of the best 6 weeks of the year! All the cobbled classics, 3 of the 5 monuments, and 4 (and the best) of the 7 week/long stage races. Woo-hoo!

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Does anyone know how many more years the contract with Ninove is valid for? Seven years after the change, it remains a downgrade in every aspect.

A bit worried about how strong UAE look even without Pogacar being there. 2023 me must think I'm a lunatic, but we're actually going to need a strong Visma this spring. Or UAE to get hit by 2024 Visma luck, that works too.

 

[rollingstoner]

I see Van Aert, Narvaez, De Lie, Pidcock and maybe Wellens as the favorites

Don't know about the Lidl guys (Stuyven, Skuijns), but I think the ones already raced this year has some more possibilities.

Curious to see Magnier and Vacek

 

[Berniece]

A bit worried about how strong UAE look even without Pogacar being there. 2023 me must think I'm a lunatic, but we're actually going to need a strong Visma this spring. Or UAE to get hit by 2024 Visma luck, that works too.

It just means they have a lot of cards to play, but so does Visma. Chances are high one of them will win it, but luckily Omloop isn't insanely hard which means a lot of riders can take it.

 

[search]

Does anyone know how many more years the contract with Ninove is valid for? Seven years after the change, it remains a downgrade in every aspect.

they are on the final year of the current contract, but negotiations about an extension are ongoing.

Laatste rechte lijn naar aankomst Omloop Nieuwsblad

NINOVE – De openingswedstrijd van het wielervoorjaar komt zaterdag 1 maart aan op de Elisabethlaan. We spraken met Geo De Cleer van het Omloop Finish Team.

www.ninofmedia.tv

 

[Statze2]

Yes, finally the opening Weekend is here My girlfriend is on Holiday, my Football Club has its Game on friday night. So everything is set up for a Perfect cycling saturday. Go out for a Ride with some Friends in the Morning Jump in the shower and then get on the Couch with a good Cup of coffee (or two…) and enjoy the first big Race of the Season.

I Hope for a Open Race with a lot of competitors Deep in the final and flying Attacks all around.

 

[tobydawq]

Will they still only be broadcasting about 70 kms? In 2025. When the Faun Ardèche Classic on the same day is going to have four hours of coverage.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Will they still only be broadcasting about 70 kms? In 2025. When the Faun Ardèche Classic on the same day is going to have four hours of coverage.

70km would be something: not showing at all on Discovery + schedule.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Will they still only be broadcasting about 70 kms? In 2025. When the Faun Ardèche Classic on the same day is going to have four hours of coverage.

The Belgian broadcast starts at 13:30, so if the international broadcast is only the final 70k blame HBO.

 

[Statze2]

I checked and Discovery + has it on the List at 13:30 CET, start of the Race is 11:15 and the expected finish is 15:53. So maybe they Show the last 90 km of the Race. Any Belgian Media that is covering the whole Race?

 

[Berniece]

Will they still only be broadcasting about 70 kms? In 2025. When the Faun Ardèche Classic on the same day is going to have four hours of coverage.

In Belgium there's coverage from 10:15 - 11:30 mostly focused on pre-race interviews. Then at 13:30 race coverage starts. Should be way more than the last 70km's.

 

[tobydawq]

The Belgian broadcast starts at 13:30, so if the international broadcast is only the final 70k blame HBO.

Don't they say that every year and then start with 45-60 minutes studio coverage before the broadcast actually starts?

 

[Netserk]

Spring is just around the corner, finally!

Don't they say that every year and then start with 45-60 minutes studio coverage before the broadcast actually starts?

Yes, so last year Eurosport cheated and aired images before Sporza.

 

[tobydawq]

Spring is just around the corner, finally!

Yes, so last year Eurosport cheated and aired images before Sporza.

Let's hope that will happen again, then.

But it seems silly not just to cover in full, when every other race seems to be able to do that these days.

 

[Netserk]

Officially, live coverage started 14:10 with 72 km to go last year.

 

[Samamba]

Don't they say that every year and then start with 45-60 minutes studio coverage before the broadcast actually starts?

This exactly. Omloop is same every year. Coverage starts but they just start waffling about things no one wants to hear. Actual live images come later. Frustrating every year.

 

[Didinho]

I'm gonna ride the final tomorrow. Hope to see a lot of teams on their recon.

 

[danielovichdk2]

Campernaerts' first Visma victory

 

[Netserk]

Officially, live coverage started 14:10 with 72 km to go last year.

It was the same in 2023 btw, live coverage only started 14:10 after a long preview, including of the women's race.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Can WVA beats UAE? This will be exciting!

 

[Brullnux]

Can WVA beats UAE? This will be exciting!

Is UAE really a favourite here? I guess if Pollitt is in 2024 form, but feels a bit forced to make this UAE v Visma

 

[Netserk]

Looks like another edition with a headwind after the Muur, and mostly crosswind in the finale prior to that.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Is UAE really a favourite here? I guess if Pollitt is in 2024 form, but feels a bit forced to make this UAE v Visma

Politt, Wellens, Narvaez, Vermeersch, Bjerg. They have multiple options and win this as a tactical game

 

[Tim Cahill]

Is UAE really a favourite here? I guess if Pollitt is in 2024 form, but feels a bit forced to make this UAE v Visma

Nah, they are one of the best teams here still but like you said Politt looks like he's struggling after the crash, Morgado should've gone as he's flying. Visma seem to have the best guys here but missing a final rider on the startlist due to Laporte's sickness(?)

Going to miss both races so will be depending on the forum for some top top analysis thanks.