Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026, February 28

[Unchained]

So they are predicting nasty weather?

 

[hayneplane]

Soudal Quickstep are normally the team most eager to smash everyone in the crosswinds however for this race they may favour a more conservative race as they have the most in form fast finisher in Magnier.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

By the way, that Burgos team has got to be one of the most remarkable combinations of Nationalities in a Belgian spring classic.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

A little over 12 hours before the race begins:
a little over 12 hours until entries for the Spring Classics CQ Game close.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Is the Peloton prepared for Niklas Larsen tomorrow?

Sint Niklas won't be handing out any gifts, that's for sure.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Anybody in Málaga knows a good bar which will show the race ???

 

[Red Rick]

Previous years have often had headwind in the finale, no?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Soudal Quickstep are normally the team most eager to smash everyone in the crosswinds however for this race they may favour a more conservative race as they have the most in form fast finisher in Magnier.

Magnier should be able to handle a block of solid racing, so I see no reason why the steppers should sit in today. Driver or passenger? Thats the question.

 

[search]

against this competition, Magnier is better off saving himself for tomorrow, I'd think.

 

[KZD]

Van der Poel wins, the biggest unknown is from where will he go solo.

Wellens might be the one closer to him.

 

[Samamba]

Previous years have often had headwind in the finale, no?

Yeah usually this time of the year you get wind from the other direction. It's not the parcours that's necessarily too soft, it's that you often get a headwind in the final meaning it gets back together after Muur and Bosberg. Not this time tho. I think/hope we're in for a treat.

 

[rghysens]

Van der Poel wins, the biggest unknown is from where will he go solo.

Don´t underestimate Wellens.

I´m living a few km´s from the finish and it´s really, really windy. Can´t see a group of 20 or so going to the finish if it stays like this.

 

[Samamba]

Wind gusts are pretty insane here right now, and it's expected to get even worse..

Hopefully we get the chaos and spectacle we all want, but as safe as possible. Would be annoying to see some big guys out for the classic season because of a nasty crash. I think they will want to split this immediately after Oudenaarde as that's the safest thing.

 

[RedheadDane]

By the way, that Burgos team has got to be one of the most remarkable combinations of Nationalities in a Belgian spring classic.

"A Greek, a Mauritian, and a Mexican rode into a cobbled classic."

 

[Pantani_lives]

Van der Poel
Magnier, Brennan
Wellens, Pidcock, Philipsen
F. Vermeersch, De Lie, Vacek, Withen Philipsen
Van Baarle, Girmay, Mohoric, Küng, Laporte

 

[RedheadDane]

Van der Poel
Magnier, Brennan
Wellens, Pidcock, Philipsen
F. Vermeersch, De Lie, Vacek, Withen Philipsen
Van Baarle, Girmay, Mohoric, Küng, Laporte

I just have one question:
What's with the mushrooms?
Especially; What's with the mushrooms associated with Vikings going Berserk?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Van der Poel
Magnier, Brennan
Wellens, Pidcock, Philipsen
F. Vermeersch, De Lie, Vacek, Withen Philipsen
Van Baarle, Girmay, Mohoric, Küng, Laporte

There‘s a weird mushroom house at the foot of the Tiegemberg, but that isn‘t in the race, luckily for Oliver Naesen. Otherwise, mushrooms are more of an indicator of Fall, not Spring, right?

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

The circus has started!

 

[Ilmaestro99]

The air conditioning did no work on my room last night I won't be doing big numbers here today

 

[Samu Cuenca]

There‘s a weird mushroom house at the foot of the Tiegemberg, but that isn‘t in the race, luckily for Oliver Naesen. Otherwise, mushrooms are more of an indicator of Fall, not Spring, right?

Are you insinuating that celeriac isn't the only type of food that makes him ill and that's the real reason for his bad relationship with the climb?

 

[KoopaCycling]

I'm not that excited for this weekends races. Aside from wind possibly making things interesting, both omloop and Kuurne have become sprinter races.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I'm not that excited for this weekends races. Aside from wind possibly making things interesting, both omloop and Kuurne have become sprinter races.

Omloop is very balanced and even a bit harder this year than usual. I don't see how it's a sprinter's race at all. Plus Van der Poel usually doesn't do it, which is probably the most important factor that speaks against a sprint this year.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Omloop is very balanced and even a bit harder this year than usual. I don't see how it's a sprinter's race at all. Plus Van der Poel usually doesn't do it, which is probably the most important factor that speaks against a sprint this year.

It will be this year unless wind plays a role

 

[Pantani_lives]

What's with the mushrooms?

Mushrooms in this part of the year include morels, pheasant backs and oyster mushrooms. More than enough varieties!

 

[search]

Krijnsen up in the break looked like a future contender for the classics when he entered the scene in 2024, but hasn't really done much at Jayco yet. About time to up his game again.