Belgian Bonanza '26: 21st Omloop + Omloop Hageland + 15th Le Samyn (Feb 28 + March 1st and 2nd)

[Samu Cuenca]

Unless they're actively watching they're just basing it on an expected average speed.

 

[Didinho]

It’s always hard to organize a chase on these laps. Trek doing a good job now but the timing doesn’t go down enough.

My ride this morning was close to the parcours. A lot of wind today again. So they have to manage their efforts, also for the Trek riders.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

They aren't far away from being caught, but the expected bit moto of pacing isn't making it easier for the peloton.

 

[Didinho]

They don’t want to catch them too early. Other strong riders could attack then and it would be harder to catch.

The cobbled climb will be the deciding factor. With 5km to go.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Balsamo's out of contention.

 

[Didinho]

Puncture probably and crashes with it.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F1i-zKC9lok

 

[Didinho]

Kool.
Gillespie.
Bossuyt.

 

[yaco]

Good fightback from Kool who was awful at the UAE Tour.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Visma didn't get much out of all their work. They should have tried to bridge across to the group, but that's 100% hindsight.

It's nice to see Kool being up to speed again, but this is of course the exact kind of race where she should always be up there.

 

[Dani HR]

Eline Jansen 5th!

Also Florien Bolks 11th, just missing the top 10, in her first race as a professional cyclist.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Le Samyn will conclude the opening of the Belgian season. It's previously been raced on the same day as the men's edition, but this time it gets a day all for itself, which means it'll finish at a more reasonable time. The local laps have been lengthened slightly which has resulted in an additional 11 km being added to the distance.

We'll see some of the riders we've seen in action this weekend, but also some fresh faces. SD Works are not taking part so we know Wiebes won't be winning again. Kool has the opportunity to take two victories in a row, but her best result in this race is 7th, and the hill in Dour could once again prove to be tricky for her. Zanetti, Gillespie and Verhulst-Wild were the best of the rest last year and are expected to take part once again.

I guess there's still a chance that it could be the first elite race where all four Knaven sisters face each other, but it seems more likely that only two or three them will be there.

 

[Didinho]

Live images.

Gillespie already in the break.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Pretty strong group, and with multiple teams having two riders in there they should be able to work together. Aasebø is one attacking teenager.

 

[yaco]

The break does not have a big lead but I question who will chase. Even though Gillespie is in the front group, she has Backstedt to drive the pace and counter moves.

 

[Didinho]

The lead suddenly 2’. Could be over.

Picnic started riding. Now only 1 Fenix rider. With Alula defending the break, or riding I don’t know.

Attacking and dropping the pace. Peloton with G2 syndrome. The winner is in the break.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Some of the teams represented in the break may still have a better chance of actually winning if it comes back together.

Van der Hulst was fairly fast in a sprint before her artery problems, so it will be interesting to see what she's capable of if she doesn't get dropped before the line.

 

[Didinho]

I just hope the peloton can get back somehow. Always a shame if you’re waiting for live images and the top 10 could be gone already. Maybe if the break starts to disrupt each other but I don’t see it happening anymore.

Especially if with the first attack in front you have 2 teammates dropped immediately and suddenly your sprinter is 2’ behind and it’s too late to start chasing.

 

[yaco]

I expect lots of attacking from the break in the final 20kms. Looking forward to the finish.

 

[Didinho]

Liv Alula playing the numbers game against Gillespie. Finally some good tactics. But they need to drop Backstedt.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

No one is prepared to lose out by gambling on UAE closing it down.

 

[Didinho]

Backstedt is winning it for Gillespie.

 

[Didinho]

As expected. Easy win.

 

[RedheadDane]

Gillespie winning by at least a bike length.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Nice victory for the 10 UAE riders in front.