Van Aert faces a strong field of participants including Mathieu van der Poel
On Saturday, we will open the new Flemish cycling season during Omloop het Nieuwsblad. The provisional start lists feature many big names. In the men’s race, Van Aert will face Pidcock, Magnier, De Lie and Philipsen. Moreover, Mathieu van der Poel announced today his debut in the opening classic.
With no fewer than five former winners, the men's provisional start list is well stocked. Team Visma | Lease a Bike aims to claim a second victory in the opening classic with Van Aert. The Belgian will be supported by British top talent Brennan and Laporte, among others. They will face an experienced Soudal Quick-Step squad. Both Stuyven (2020) and Van Baarle (2023), newcomers to the team, have already won the opening classic, while young Magnier finished second last year.
Bib number 1 goes to defending champion Wærenskjold, who receives support from his Norwegian teammate Abrahamsen at Uno-X Mobility. Attention should also be paid to the strong squad of UAE Team Emirates XRG with Vermeersch and Belgian champion Wellens, who finished third in 2019. De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), second in 2023, and Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech), third last year, will also be making their appearance in Ghent. The latter will be joined by Mathieu van der Poel, who will make his debut in the opening classic.
Also on the provisional start list are Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Girmay (NSN Cycling Team), Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), Vacek (Lidl-Trek), and Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling Team). Former winners of the Tour of Flanders, Asgreen (EF Education - EasyPost) and Bettiol (XDS Astana Team), will also be at the start.
Programme at 't Kuipke
- 8:30 | Doors open
- 9:00 | Start DJ
- 9:25 | Start team presentation men
- 11:05 | Start men's race
- 11:15 | Flanders Classics offers a treat
- 11:30 | Presentation She Plays Gent
- 12:00 | Start team presentation women
- 13:35 | Start women's race
Proximus livestream
Fans who cannot be present at ’t Kuipke will be able to follow the team presentations from home thanks to the Proximus livestream.
Flanders Classics offers a treat
Before the starting shots on Emile Clauslaan, the teams, both men’s and women’s, will be invited one by one onto the podium during an atmospheric team presentation. From 11:15 to 12:15, following the men’s start and before the women’s team presentation, cycling fans can, as last year, enjoy a happy hour at ’t Kuipke.
