Omloop Nieuwsblad 2026 - Race results
28.02
Mathieu van der Poel won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on his 2026 debut after surviving a crash scare on the Molenberg and turning that moment into the race defining move. He then rode away with ease on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and kept extending his lead over the Bosberg to solo into Ninove. Tim van Dijke took second ahead of Florian Vermeersch, while the main chasers arrived well behind.
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Route
After a fast rollout, the race hits two early cobbled sectors that set the tone but rarely decide the day. The first real climbing begins just after 60 kilometres with the Leberg, quickly followed by the Eikenberg. A calmer phase follows, with the peloton settling before the course starts to tighten again. With around 95 kilometres to go, the Lange Munte cobbles appear in relative isolation, more a warning than a launchpad. The same is true for the Haaghoek and Leberg combination, which tends to sting without fully cracking the race.
Once the riders grind up the cobbled Eikenberg, the race typically shifts into a higher gear. From that point there are still 61.5 kilometres left, and the course turns into a near continuous sequence of obstacles. Cobbled lanes and short climbs come in rapid succession, often every five kilometres or less, leaving little room to reset. The route then strings together Holleweg, Wolvenberg, Kerkgate, Jagerij, Molenberg, Haaghoek, Leberg and Berendries at a punishing tempo.
After Berendries, two late additions, Tenbosse and the Parikeberg, make the run in to the finale sharper and more selective. A short run leads into the Muur van Geraardsbergen, a steep cobbled wall that invites decisive moves. There is barely time to recover before the Bosberg, a longer drag where the last separation is often made. From the top, it is an 11.8 kilometre flat run to the line in Ninove, rewarding whoever has the legs and organisation left.
Read more in our preview.
Favourites
Søren Wærenskjold returns as defending champion for Uno X Mobility. Again he is not the top pick, but he showed early 2026 form with strong stage results at the Vuelta a Andalucia.
The main favourite is Mathieu van der Poel for Alpecin-Premier Tech, making his debut at the race. Fresh off an eighth cyclocross world title, he is expected to thrive in a harder finale. Alpecin Premier Tech also have Jasper Philipsen as a sprint option if it comes down to speed.
Paul Magnier is another key contender for Soudal Quick-Step after sprint wins at the Volta ao Algarve and a near miss last year. He is backed by a powerful squad including Yves Lampaert, Jasper Stuyven, and Dylan van Baarle.
Wout van Aert was set to return for Visma | Lease a Bike after his ankle fracture, but illness has ruled him out of the race. Visma | Lease a Bike still bring fast options like Matthew Brennan and Christophe Laporte, although Laporte’s recent crash adds uncertainty.
Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5) and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG) could animate the race after strong early season performances. Other sprint threats include Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), Biniam Girmay (NSN), Lukáš Kubiš (Unibet Rose Rockets), Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM), Jordi Meeus (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe), and Ben Turner (Ineos Grenadiers).
Our full preview can be read hear and the startlist is available via this link.
