Wout van Aert, the top contender for the prestigious Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, is gearing up for the race with some exciting new strategies. On Friday, February 28, 2025, he and his team, Visma-Lease A Bike, took to the roads to explore the final leg of the Omloop course, traversing iconic climbs such as the Leberg, Berendries, Muur, and Bosberg. This ride covered around 63 kilometers and lasted little less than two hours. Van Aert even humorously labeled the excursion on Strava as his ‘carnavalsritje,’ showcasing his light-hearted spirit as he prepared for the race.
Adding to the intrigue of this year’s event, Van Aert and his teammates donned hyper-aerodynamic time trial helmets during their reconnaissance ride—a choice sparking discussions about the role of technology and aerodynamics within the sport. The Giro Aerohead, typically used for time trials and triathlons, isn’t the usual headgear for the cobbled roads of Flanders, raising questions among cycling enthusiasts and analysts alike.
Sep Vanmarcke, who is providing analysis for Sporza, weighed in on the significance of this equipment shift. "Alle kleine beetjes helpen," he remarked, underscoring the small but impactful gains from adopting advanced technologies like aerodynamic helmets. According to research, using such helmets could yield 10 to 15 watts of advantage, which, for cyclists, can turn out to be substantial, especially on demanding courses.
Yet, the choice of helmet isn't without its drawbacks. Ken Vanmarcke, team leader of EF Education-Easy Post, explained, “Zulke helmen verluchten niet goed. En als je niet tijdig kan afkoelen, wordt het nefast.” This limitation emphasizes potential overheating issues during lengthy races, possibly making it impractical for some riders who aren’t suited to discomfort over long periods.
Despite past hesitations, the integration of these aerodynamic helmets is becoming more prevalent, as shown by earlier experiments conducted by other teams. These discussions illuminate the starting point for exploring how far cycling has evolved with science fostering improved performance. Why do some teams embrace this innovation, and will we begin to see time trial helmets becoming the norm? Your guess is as good as mine.
Upon arriving at the team bus after their ride, Van Aert was greeted enthusiastically by fans, capturing memories as he took time for photos—an endearing part of his persona. The last two years have seen Van Aert excel at the Omloop; he triumphed solo back in 2022 and secured third place last year, where the victory went to his teammate Jan Tratnik, now with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.
Looking forward, the question looms: can Van Aert add another victory to his name this Saturday? Having worn the aerodynamic helmet previously, team leader Arthur van Dongen stated, “Het lijkt wat op een tijdrithelm. Iedereen mag zelf beslissen of hij ermee start of niet.” This autonomy emphasizes the riders' comfort and confidence on race day.
Stick around—whether he runs with the newly tested helmet or opts for traditional options, the excitement brewing for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is palpable. Van Aert’s ambition to seize his second victory there only heightens the stakes, promising thrilling moments as he reads the course he knows so well.