With the start of the cycling season just around the corner, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is poised to kick off the Flemish spring racing season with great anticipation. Taking place on March 1, 2025, this year’s edition promises to be spectacular, featuring a star-studded lineup of cyclists eager to claim the opening classic of the season.
One of the major names to watch is Wout Van Aert, who will be racing under the banner of Visma | Lease A Bike. The team has intensified its preparation and even scouted the challenging course, exploring notable climbs such as the renowned Muur van Geraardsbergen. Spectacularly, the team undertook reconnaissance rides, covering approximately 63 kilometers at an average speed of 33.5 kilometers per hour, indicating they are gearing up for the challenging race.
"The boys were well prepared for the weather, making sure they were covered against the cold, which was far from warm during their training ride," stated team spokespersons. Conditions on race day are likely to be equally brisk, requiring the participants to stay vigilant.
One curious sight during the team’s practice was the cyclists donning time trial helmets. While it raised eyebrows, it seems protective gear like this could be more than just a response to the chilly weather. Whether this will contribute significantly to their performance remains to be seen—could this be the team employing strategies rarely seen during classical racing conditions?
Notably, Visma | Lease A Bike has the chance to make history by claiming the Omloop for the fourth consecutive time; no team has ever achieved such dominance. With the stakes higher than ever, anticipation builds as the premier cycling event looms.
Women’s cycling will also take the spotlight during this weekend, as the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for Women celebrates its twentieth edition. Flanders Classics, the organizer, aims to mark this milestone with joyous fanfare. During the team presentation at 't Kuipke, attendees can look forward to complimentary beers, courtesy of Maes, the new main partner for the Flanders Classics spring season.
Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics, asserted, "With our Closing The Gap project, we've committed ourselves to advancing women's cycling, and what’s a more fitting occasion than the 20th edition of this iconic opener?" This initiative showcases the organization’s devotion to elevacing the visibility and participation of women cyclists.
On the day of the men’s race, the main event starts with the team presentations before proceeding to the route—the peloton will depart from Merelbeke and face nearly 200 kilometers laden with iconic Flemish climbs and cobbled sections, making it both physically demanding and strategically complex.
For spectators marking the must-see moments of the race, key stages to watch include the Haaghoek and Leberg climbs, with timing narrowed down to their first and multiple later passages throughout the day. For the men’s race, pivotal moments include:
- Haaghoek - First passage: between 12:30 and 12:45, 147.5 kilometers to finish
- Leberg - First passage: between 12:35 and 12:50, 144.5 kilometers to finish
- Haaghoek - Second passage: between 14:05 and 14:25, 79 kilometers to finish
- Leberg - Second passage: between 14:10 and 14:30, 76 kilometers to finish
- Muur van Geraardsbergen - Between 15:35 and 16:00, 16 kilometers to finish
- Finish at Ninove: between 15:55 and 16:15.
The women’s race will follow suit on Sunday with familiar climbs and competitive spirit. At the forefront, the return of the Omloop van het Hageland will see its reimagined structure bring about thrilling prospects as researchers have hinted it promises exhilarating encounters for both punchers and sprinters.
The course for this year has been revamped significantly, featuring classic climbs with updated routes to maintain competitive dynamics, according to race director Dieter Clerx. With the new layout, potential champions include the likes of Puck Pieterse and the legendary Anna van der Breggen, marking their first direct competition since Van der Breggen’s retirement.
"Our vision is not just to maintain but to grow this event, giving it fresh life and reviving interest among fans," said Philip Roodhooft, affirming the commitment toward manifesting these changes.
With the added excitement of narrative from previous years, the presence of sprinters like Charlotte Kool joins the fray amid the chase for victory as participants prepare to tackle the new course dynamics. This renewed spirit infuses the Omloop of Hageland with energy and hope, ensuring the tradition within women's cycling continues.
The weekend of racing is undeniably set to captivate cycling enthusiasts and newcomers alike—an infusion of historical significance and contemporary efforts to innovate is top on the agenda. With both men’s and women’s teams firmly placed on the radar, the 2025 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and its accompanying events promise thrill beyond expectations, reinforcing the enduring legacy of cycling’s favorite Flemish classics.