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United States >> 2026 Pro Cycling Classics >> Omloop Het Nieuwsblad kickstarts the European Spring Classics
 
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Omloop Het Nieuwsblad kickstarts the European Spring Classics

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026 preview with Wout van Aert’s return, key contenders, course changes, and classic Belgian cobbled chaos.

Wærenskjold outsprints top favourites at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

The race starts at the velodrome in Gent. The route covers eight cobbled sectors and twelve climbs. Organizers made it harder this year. They removed the Valkenberg. They added two trips up the Eikenberg instead. They want to avoid a big sprint finish like last year.

The end of the race is brutal. The riders face the Tenbosse and the Parikeberg. Then comes the legendary Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg.

If the rain falls, those stones will be like ice. It will be slippery and dangerous. Staying on the bike will be half the challenge.

The peloton will then cover a bit more than 200 kilometers. In the first 100 kilometers of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, riders will pass areas such as the Zwalm region, Zottegem, Nazareth, and Oudenaarde.

Only the cobbles of the Paddestraat and Lange Munte and the duo Haaghoek-Leberg are notable obstacles in the opening phase of the race. After just over 120 kilometers, the pre-final begins as riders must ride over the Haaghoek and Leberg again in quick succession.

At 74 kilometers from the finish, the finale truly begins. The newly renovated Eikenberg is on the agenda, three kilometers later followed by the Wolvenberg. That climb—without cobbles—is not too difficult itself, but immediately after, riders face the cobbles of the Kerkgate and Jagerij. Then comes the crucial ascent of the Molenberg. This tough test follows several cobbled sections with a challenging extension. This is where the best often manage to distinguish themselves.

Next, the famous triple climb Haaghoek-Leberg-Berendries awaits. At the summit of the very steep Berendries, there are still 34 kilometers remaining to the finish in Ninove. Normally, a quieter phase would follow after Berendries, but this year the organizers have made the route even tougher. With the climbs of Tenbosse and the Parikeberg at 181 and 184 kilometers, there is no longer any calm moment in the finale.

Just seven kilometers after the top of Parikeberg comes the iconic climb of the Muur van Geraardsbergen. From the summit, riders still have about sixteen kilometers to the finish. If the race isn’t decided after the Muur, there is still the Bosberg. After the Bosberg, only twelve kilometers remain to the finish in Ninove. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad finish line is located in Elisabethlaan, just as last year. This gives a slightly wider finish, which also inclines gently towards the end.

Who To Watch In Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026 

Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X) beat Frenchman Paul Magnier and race favourite Belgian Jasper Philipsen. He won last year in a sprint. He will try to defend his title against a much deeper field.

Jasper Philipsen is leading Alpecin. He is dangerous. If he survives the hills, he is the fastest man in the group.

Biniam Girmay looks great right now. He is racing for NSN Cycling Team. He has the power for these short, punchy climbs.

Arnaud De Lie is another major threat. He can climb with the best and finish fast.

Keep an eye on Tom Pidcock. He is on his new Pinarello Q36.5 bike. He knows how to attack on the Muur. He's supported by Canadian Nicholas Zukowski.

Stefan Küng is riding for Tudor. If he gets away solo, the race is over.

We also have a stacked list of Americans. Watch out for Magnus Sheffield, Artem Schmidt, Luke Lamperti, Colby Simmons, and Riley Sheehan.

Weather

The Omloop has seen worse weather. This weekend, temperatures in the Flemish Ardennes will hover around 12 degrees Celsius with frequent sunny intervals. A small amount of precipitation—less than a millimeter—is expected, while the wind will be southwest at force three.