The weekend of March 1-2, 2025, marked the opening of the cycling season with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne events, but both races left many fans disappointed. Featuring some of the top cycling teams, the races failed to yield the anticipated excitement and stellar performances typically associated with these historic events.
Visma-Lease, known for its dominance over recent years, was expected to leave its mark. Instead, the team encountered several setbacks, with Matteo Jorgenson, one of its prominent cyclists, acknowledging the lack of explosive performance. "I am always happy to have finished the opening weekend healthy. I felt good and strong. I have confidence heading to Paris-Nice, but as a team, we still need to improve for the upcoming classics," Jorgenson stated during the press zone after the races.
While they showed up, they didn’t quite shine as they usually do. Jorgenson hinted at internal discussions about the team’s underperformance, indicating, "We discussed it on Saturday, and we’ll talk about it again on Sunday. It’s just not come together yet." He highlighted issues of integration with new team members and the unfortunate absence of key players like Christophe Laporte, sidelined by illness, and Dylan van Baarle, who suffered a collarbone fracture.
UAE, another heavily speculated team, also faced challenges over the weekend, with Tim Wellens acknowledging their struggles. Though he made headlines by actively participating during Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, he noted the team fell short against the sprinter squads. "Despite our attempts, the sprinters were too strong," he summarized, expressing satisfaction with his form, but lamenting the absence of results. "Everyone on our team has good legs, but it’s not easy to show if you’re not in the right place at the right time. But this is something we will overcome," Wellens remarked with cautious optimism.
The weekend did not live up to the lofty expectations set by cycling enthusiasts and commentators. Reflecting on the course conditions, commentators noted how those without the star presence of Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel faltered. Without their strengths, teams instead engaged more defensively, which resulted in lackluster racing. Compared to previous years, the races were characterized by fewer bold attacks and strategies, leading to repetitive outcomes.
Alpecin-Deceuninck managed to secure the only standout victory, highlighting Jasper Philipsen's significant performance as he took center stage amid the overall subdued competition. Reports indicate the tactical execution of teams was underwhelming, and many ended up staying conservative rather than opting for aggressive riding. The absence of double bookings with the UAE Tour for the first time in years did allow for sprinters full participation, which only added to the discussion around the lack of racing excitement.
Team dynamics and experience also played pivotal roles, as strategic errors unfolded during both races. Commentators pointed to positioning as the root cause of many teams’ struggles. Some cycling teams reported internal issues and missed leadership, calling it "the heart of the team missing." Team leader Grischa Niermann echoed concerns about this, mentioning the challenges they faced without Nathan Van Hooydonck, who also was absent.
With the weather over the weekend more favorable than expected, without rain but accompanied by light winds, conditions should have favored more aggressive racing. These elements added to the questions about the team strategies, leading many to wonder if the dramatic moments failed to manifest due to the riders’ hesitations.
While the men's races faced disappointment, the women's race the previous evening did not escape criticism either. Many female fans voiced their frustration, reflecting on what they deemed as tactical poker, which has overshadowed the sport lately. The synergy among the teams and their riders was questioned heavily, with the narrative surrounding past grievances still prevailing.
The return of superstars like Pogacar and Van der Poel later this season heralds changes and could reshape the competition significantly. For now, though, fans and teams alike are left waiting for future races to spark the excitement expected at the onset of the cycling season. A signal of urgency was sent through the cycling community, as the anticipation builds for the climactic entrance of these cycling heavyweights.