Cobblestones, at last!
For many cycling fans, spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year. It is when the Belgian classics arrive, where short and steep climbs over cobblestones take center stage. We still have to wait a month for most of these races, but next weekend, the so-called "Opening Weekend" already gives us a small preview in the form of Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne.
Omloop Nieuwsblad ME: route and favorites
The men's Omloop Nieuwsblad covers 197 kilometers and includes 11 cobbled sectors, seven of which are in the last 60 kilometers. The final duo, formed by the legendary Muur de Geraardsbergen (1.1 km at 7.4%) and the Bosberg (0.9 km at 6.2%), is usually decisive.
Wout Van Aert (1200), Jasper Philipsen (1200), Arnaud De Lie (800), Thomas Pidcock (800), Tiesj Benoot (400), Tim Wellens (400), Nils Politt (200), Matteo Jorgenson (1000), Jan Tratnik (200), Jasper Stuyven (400), Matteo Trentin (600), Oier Lazkano (400), Matej Mohoric (800), Jonathan Narvaez (400), Kasper Asgreen (400), Alberto Bettiol (400), and Biniam Girmay (1000) are some of the main favorites.
Omloop Nieuwsblad WE: route and favorites
The women's Omloop covers a total of 137 kilometers, and here too, the cobbled sections and climbs are mainly concentrated in the second half of the race. As in the men's race, the Muur - Bosberg duo marks the final part.
Demi Vollering (1200), Lorena Wiebes (1200), Katarzina Niewiadoma (1200), Marlen Reusser (1000), Elise Chabbey (1000), Silvia Persico (800), Mischa Bredewold (800), Anna Henderson (800), Puck Pieterse (600), Elizabeth Deignan (400), Liane Lippert (1000), Christina Schweinberger (600), Pfeiffer Georgi (600), Riejanne Markus (800), and Thalita De Jong (600) are some of the most prominent riders registered for the women's race.
Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne: route and favorites
On Sunday, Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne closes the Opening Weekend with a route featuring only five cobbled sectors and with the hills much further from the finish line. This makes it a race better suited to strong sprinters and slightly heavier riders than the day before.
Jasper Philipsen (1200), Wout Van Aert (1200), Tim Merlier (1000), Jonathan Milan (1000), Biniam Girmay (1000), Olav Kooij (1000), Dylan Groenewegen (800), Kaden Groves (1000), Jordi Meeus (600), Marijn Van den Berg (600), Milan Fretin (400), and Max Kanter (400) are the top sprinters on the start list.
If the race breaks up in pieces, other strong candidates are Tiesj Benoot (400), Toms Skujins (400), Matej Mohoric (800), Nils Politt (200), Matteo Trentin (600), Tim Wellens (400), Jan Tratnik (200), Oier Lazkano (400), Jasper Stuyven (400), or Matteo Jorgenson (1000).
Photo: © Omloop Nieuwsblad / Flanders Classics