In 2018, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was contested between Ghent and Ninove for the first time. Since then, the finale with the Muur-Bosberg duo has become an integral part of the opening classic. Flanders Classics and the city of Ninove are therefore delighted to announce that, for the coming three years, the finish for this race will continue to be in Ninove.
With a solid attack at the foot of the Bosberg, Belgian champion Van Aert completely turned the final of the opening classic to his advantage. He steadily increased his lead and crossed the line in Ninove on his own. The second place was for European champion Colbrelli, who beat Van Avermaet in the sprint.
Saturday has undoubtedly been crossed in your calendar for a while now, just like on the calendars of other cycling fans. Now the time has finally come, you're probably planning your day.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is around the corner. We too are counting down the hours to Saturday when the classic riders will gather in Ghent for a tough ride to Ninove. To make the wait a little more bearable, we've collected everything you need to know about the race in our fan guide.
As usual every year, Ghent is preparing for the kick-off of the Belgian cycling season. The provisional start list in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday 26 February already promises a great race between Ghent and Ninove. We can look forward to seeing Belgian champion Van Aert and cyclo-cross world champion Pidcock, among others. They will be up against former winners Stuyven, Gilbert, Stybar and Tour of Flanders winner Asgreen. Discover the provisional start list for the opening classic.
Next Saturday, the Flemish cycling season kicks off with the opening classic. And there is good news! The organisation and the city of Ghent have announced that this year, once again, the start presentations in ’t Kuipke will be open to the public.
Saturday is finally the day: the race is coming home! The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad will be held between Ghent and Ninove. Of course, the riders make the race, but the weather gods also play an important role in the course and they are in favor of the riders during their opening classic. With light clouds and a mild temperature of around 10°C, it not only looks good for the riders, but also the fans along the route can enjoy the weather when they return.
Saturday it's finally time for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad again We are expecting the best classic cyclists in Ghent for the kick-off of the cycling season. This year, they're not the only ones we'll be welcoming back with open arms, because after one year of absence, you'll be there too! We sum up what you need to know to make the opening classic a true cycling fest!
This week the race will be back home. On Saturday 26 February the traditional opening classic, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, will take place between Ghent and Ninove. But not only the pros will ride their opening classics that weekend, you can also start your spring a day after the pros thanks to our Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Cyclo, the opener of the Continental Classics Tour.
It’s not a coincidence the cycling season starts in Ghent. Numerous places in and around the city breathe bike history. Last year the city of Ghent and Flanders Classics presented a cycling route filled with facts about Ghent’s cycling history: the Gandrien. The beautiful tour is about 40 kilometres long and is suited for everyone with a passion for the bike, not just for real cyclists. This year we are adding the Gandrien walking tour!
After an exciting edition in 2021 and a mighty final sprint by Davide Ballerini, it is finally time again on 26 February. All 18 UCI WorldTeams will then gather, to annual tradition, in Ghent for the opening classic. UCI ProTeams Alpecin-Fenix, Team Arkéa Samsic and TotalEnergies were already sure of their participation in the classic thanks to their ranking. The other wildcards are awarded to Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB, Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise B&B Hotels P/B KTM and Norwegian UNO-X Pro Cycling.
Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2021 ahead of Jake Stewart (Groupama - FDJ) and Sep Vanmarcke (Israel Start-Up Nation). After a solo effort by world champion Alaphilippe, no elite group was able to break away anymore. Ballerini eventually took the win in a bunch sprint on the Onderwijslaan in Ninove.
Ce 27 février, le Circuit Het Nieuwsblad marquera comme chaque année le coup d’envoi de la saison cycliste en Belgique. La liste provisoire des partants promet déjà une course passionnante entre Gand et Ninove.
Few cycling fans realise that the race is actually a gigantic event that is constantly on the move. In order to keep an overview of this constantly moving caravan, Flanders Classics and GeoDynamics will also be working closely together in 2021.
All 19 UCI WorldTeams will be present at the Belgian season opener with a traditional start in Ghent on 27 February.
As this exceptional year draws to a close, Flanders Classics announces a new partnership. From 2021, BMW Belux will be the official car partner of the organiser of such prestigious races as the Tour of Flanders.
From today on, cycling enthusiasts can discover the virtual world of the Proximus Cycling eSeries. Flanders Classics, title partner Proximus, META as an eSports specialist and virtual cycling platform RGT offer challenges all year round in a free and realistic cycling environment. First challenge on the programme: the Paterberg challenge.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for elite women was up to its 15th edition. With world champion Annemiek van Vleuten, the organization has got its dream winner. The 37-year-old world champion impressively broke away from the leading group on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and soloed to the finish in Ninove. The Italian rider Bastianelli sprinted to the second place, before another Dutchwoman, Floortje Mackaij.(Via Het Nieuwsblad)
Jasper Stuyven has won Omloop het Nieuwsblad. The Trek-Segafredo rider from Leuven won the sprint against Yves Lampaert in Ninove after a hotly contested race, dominated by a seven-strong leading group. (Via Het Nieuwsblad)
On Saturday February 29, the exhibition 'Heeren, vertrekt! In de kop van de Koers' (Gentlemen, take off! At the head of the race) begins in the Sint-Pietersabdij in Ghent. The exhibition focuses on what’s going on in the heads of riders and entourage. Via an audio guide you will step into the head of people out of the world of cycling.
The provisional list of participants is filled with big names who can turn this jubilee edition into an unforgettable race. According to the provisional list, Zdenek Stybar has to put up with tough competition in his quest for a new victory in Ninove.
Flanders Classics by Bkool is a virtual competition that will let you race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on your own schedule, without leaving your house.
Marriott Residence Inn Gent is open since mid-November and is situated near the exit of the E17 and E40 highways. With also the R4 and Sint-Pieters train station in proximity, the hotel does well in terms of accessibility, and it is the perfect starting point to discover the city. Marriott Residence Inn aims to profile itself as a real sports hotel.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is not only the opening classic of the Spring season on 29 February, it will also celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. The city of Ghent wants to put this birthday in the spotlight. A close cooperation with retailers, bar and restaurant owners and a cycling exhibition will bring the race alive in this cycling city with its rich heritage. The city of Ghent and Flanders Classics also signed a new agreement through 2025.
The Belgian cycling season starts on Saturday 29 February with the iconic opening classic Omloop Het Nieuwsblad celebrating its 75th anniversary. All the teams of the highest level in procycling will take part as was the case in 2019. The cycling mad city of Ghent will also be able to give six UCI ProTeams a warm welcome at ’t Kuipke.
Apart from the fact the race takes place on a leap day in 2020 and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad celebrates its 75th birthday, there are hardly any changes this year to the first WorldTour race of the season on European soil. Just like in 2019 the traditional opener of the Classics season starts at ’t Kuipke in Ghent and finishes on the Onderwijslaan in Ninove. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad takes place on Saturday, 29 February 2020.
Can you, like us, hardly wait for the first challenge of the new cycling season? Then count down with us to Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Sportive, the opening classic of our cycling season on Sunday March 1st!
"Greg was also very strong today. I don’t think I was better or smarter than him, I just had better luck."
Zdenek Stybar has won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2019. In the final there were five riders left: Stybar, Greg Van Avermaet, Tim Wellens, Alexey Lutsenko and Dylan Teuns. With an ultimate jump Stybar could shake off the other riders in the breakaway. He finished solo in Ninove.
Saturday 2 March marks the start of the Flemish spring, with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Anyone wanting to greet the top racers like Van Avermaet, Matthews and European champion Trentin for the first time in Flanders this season, is best advised to make their way to ‘t Kuipke. These riders are joined on the provisional list of participants for the first European WorldTour race of the season by a host of the world’s top cycling names.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad will again take off at 't Kuipke in Ghent. The riders will not finish, however, in Meerbeke but in Ninove's city center.
Michael Valgren Andersen is the new surprising winner of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The new route didn't dissapoint and delivered a beautiful spectacle. Astana had three men left after the climb of the Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg and played out the game perfectely. Valgren Andersen was able to surprise the big guns and came over the finish line solo before Lukasz Wisniowski (Sky) and Sep Vanmarcke (EF-Drapac).
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is taking place on 26 February this year. Click through to find out more about the race.
