Van Baarle wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Vanmarcke tenth

A leading group of seven riders formed quite quickly, including West Flemish Jelle Wallays and Louis Blouwe.

Just before the start of the Valkenberg, the fifth climb of the day, everything melted together behind the seven leaders. De Lie crashed 50 kilometers from the finish. This bad example was followed a little further on by his teammate Jasper De Buyst and Laurenz Rex. The leading group had already split up. Only Jelle Wallays, Mathias Norsgaard and Mathis Le Berre remained ahead.

They were also seized at the top of the Molenberg. That was the signal for Dylan van Baarle, Florian Vermeersch, Jonathan Milan and again Mathis Le Berre to accelerate. De Berendries was too much for Milan and Vermeersch also had to let go. Van Baarle stormed up the Wall of Geraardsbergen alone. Behind the Dutchman, Tim Wellens, Arnaud De Lie and Matej Mohoric joined forces.

VAN BAARLE WINS FIRST SPRING CLASSIC

At the top of the Bosberg, the twelfth and final climb of the day, Van Baarle was still 15 seconds ahead of De Lie, Wellens, Mohoric and his teammate Laporte. The large group followed at 40 seconds. Van Baarle had to complete the last 11 kilometers alone, against the wind, and did it very well, while Laporte did an excellent job of blocking. The group with De Lie was overtaken by the peloton in the last 350 meters. Nevertheless, de Waal still managed to get second place. It is the first victory of the season for Van Baarle, winner of Paris-Roubaix last year. On the honors list of the Omloop he is the successor of his teammate Wout van Aert. It didn’t start this year.