All articles tagged with #omloop het nieuwsblad
Opening weekend at Omloop het Nieuwsblad features a gallery of 2026 gear: 1x SRAM Red XPLR setups, aero wheels and new tire tech (Schwalbe Pro One Aerothan, Cadex 50 WheelSystem, CADEX aero tubeless tires), and rider- and aero-focused mounts and accessories (including Specialized saddles and wind-mheavy bottle/plate solutions) as teams push aero efficiency on cobbles while unveiling new tech for the season.
Mathieu van der Poel rode a freshly updated Canyon Aeroad with CFR-labeled frame and prototype Shimano wheels to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, powering clear from a three‑rider break late in the race after an attack on the Molenberg and rolling to a solo victory. The bike featured a SRAM UDH-compatible dropout, a Dura‑Ace groupset with 40/55 chainrings, and wheels with carbon spokes stamped 'Prototype,' suggesting upcoming Shimano wheel tech and a possible new Dura‑Ace pairing. Van der Poel’s long partnership with Canyon and the custom-painted frame were highlighted in coverage.
Mathieu van der Poel dominated the 2026 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad riding what appears to be an unreleased Shimano Dura-Ace wheelset with carbon spokes and hidden nipples, suggesting a forthcoming Dura-Ace release. He broke away on the Molenberg, then attacked on the Muur van Geraardsbergen to solo to victory, with observers noting his Canyon Aeroad CFR, 30c tyres, and gear choices (54/55t chainring and 11-30t cassette) as part of his setup.
Mathieu van der Poel rode to a solo victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026, launching his bid on the Muur van Geraardsbergen to win a cobbled classic that was marred by crashes; Tim Van Dijke finished second and Florian Vermeersch third as Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe impressed in the opening weekend of the Spring Classics.
Belgian star Wout van Aert has been ruled out of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad due to illness, delaying his 2026 season debut; Visma-Lease a Bike announced a replacement for Saturday, with no illness details disclosed, and Van Aert is aiming to return soon, potentially lining up at the Ename Samyn Classic on Tuesday and Le Samyn later in the week.
The 2024 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was won by Tratnik, who claimed the biggest victory of his career, with Politt finishing second. The race saw a thrilling finish with a lead group of riders, including several from Visma | Lease a Bike, breaking away from the peloton. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, the lead group maintained their advantage, and Tratnik emerged as the victor in a sprint finish.