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Mathieu van der Poel Storms to Solo Victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with Decisive Muur van Geraardsbergen Attack

Pre-race favourite Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) launched a powerful, race-defining attack on the Muur van Geraardsbergen today to claim a solo victory in the men's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

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Riding the Flemish classic for the first time, the former world champion covered the final 16 kilometres alone to open his 2026 campaign with a commanding win on a crash-filled and attritional day.

Van der Poel made his first significant move on the Molenberg, reacting sharply to Florian Vermeersch’s (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) attack and narrowly avoiding a downed rider in the aftermath of a mid-race incident. The Dutch star then timed his assault on the iconic Muur, turning a strong selection into a definitive solo break. He extended his advantage through the closing kilometres, crossing the finish line with clear time to spare and leaving the chasing group to contest the minor placings.

The victory underlines Van der Poel’s early season form and sends a clear message ahead of the Spring Classics. Despite the chaotic conditions and several crashes that fractured the peloton, Alpecin-Premier Tech rode a controlled and opportunistic race, allowing their leader to seize the moment and convert experience and power into a textbook classic win. The performance demonstrated tactical acumen, resilience, and the ability to deliver when the race’s key moments unfolded.

“Today everything came together,” Van der Poel said after the race. “The team kept me in the right position all day, and when the Muur presented the chance I knew I had to go. It’s a great way to start the season, but the Classics are long and hard — there’s more work to do. I’m proud of the effort and already looking forward to the next challenges.”

Race organizers and fans praised the spectacle, noting the dramatic turns of the day that tested both riders and teams. The Omloop remains an early and decisive proving ground for Classics contenders, and this year’s edition further confirmed its role as a form indicator for the weeks ahead. With his victory, Van der Poel not only took the win but also reinforced his status as a top favourite for the coming Spring Classics.

Alpecin-Premier Tech now shifts attention to the next set of European one-day races, carrying momentum and confidence from a successful opening-day performance. The team highlighted the collective effort that delivered the victory, from positioning and race control to support through the chaotic phases.

About Alpecin-Premier Tech Alpecin-Premier Tech is a global professional cycling team committed to excellence in competition, innovation in training and equipment, and strong teamwork. The squad focuses on one-day Classics and Grand Tour success while developing young talent for the sport’s future.#

VIDEO: 2026 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Mens Highlights

2026 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Mens Top 10

1 van der Poel Mathieu Alpecin-Premier Tech 04:53:55
2 van Dijke Tim Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 22
3 Vermeersch Florian UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 24
4 Laporte Christophe Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 53
5 De Gendt Aimé Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team + 54
6 Lund Andresen Tobias Decathlon CMA CGM Team + 57
7 Meeus Jordi Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 57
8 Turgis Anthony Team TotalEnergies + 57
9 Renard Alexis Cofidis + 57
10 Lamperti Luke EF Education-EasyPost + 57