Race Preview: Opening Weekend 🇧🇪
Looking ahead to the men's races at Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, with route details and riders to watch
Hi Subscribers,
Following a frantic week of racing across the UAE Tour and the Volta ao Algarve, the men’s peloton descends on Belgium for Opening Weekend, and with it, the start of the Spring Classics as Omloop Nieuwsblad (February 28), and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (March 1) come into view.
Opening Weekend will give teams and riders the chance to set a course at the start of the cobbled Classics, and the relentless testing cobbles of Belgium and northern France. In this preview, we look ahead to both races, analyse the two routes, and highlight the key riders to watch.
Follow me on: Twitter 🟢 — Instagram 🔴 — Bluesky 🔵
There are a couple of key changes in Omloop Nieuwsblad: two additional climbs - the Tenbosse and Parikeberg - as the race will now take on a more challenging route in the final 60km. For Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, there are no changes to the route as the race begins for its 78th edition.
Among the headline names taking the start, Søren Wærenskjold will look to defend his title at Omloop Nieuwsblad alongside teammate Jonas Abrahamsen, while the new-look Soudal Quick-Step will take to the start with new recruits Jasper Stuyven and Dylan Van Baarle, alongside Paul Magnier. It has not been confirmed whether Mathieu van der Poel will race at Opening Weekend, but Alpecin-Premier Tech will still be heavy favourites with Jasper Philipsen and Kaden Groves, while Visma-Lease a Bike arrive with Wout van Aert in Omloop Nieuwsblad, and Matthew Brennan will start both races.
Tom Pidcock, Biniam Girmay, Sam Watson and Arnaud de Lie also make appearances during the weekend.
Opening weekend schedule 🗓
Omloop Nieuwsblad: 207km Saturday, 28th February
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne: 195km Sunday, 1st March
2025 race recap Omloop Nieuwsblad
 | A guest post by
|