Wout van Aert has won the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for the first time in his career. In his very first race of the year, the Belgian from Jumbo-Visma was ultimately the fastest thanks to a blistering acceleration on the Bosberg.
Although the cycling season has been underway for a long time, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (formerly Omloop Het Volk) has been the kick-off of the classic preseason for years. Almost all top riders were present in Ghent to start, although two Belgian shadow favorites gave up just before departure: Sep Vanmarcke and Tim Wellens canceled due to illness.
It was not spectacular in the 204 kilometer long semi-classic. A leading group of seven, mainly riders of the smaller teams, led for a long time and was joined in the final by three fresh forces: Stefan Küng, Roubaix surprise Florian Vermeersch and Loïc Vliegen. When the difference with the peloton had increased to one minute, the Jumbo-Visma men showed up. Before it was the turn of leader Van Aert to show himself, Tiesj Benoot, Mike Teunissen and Nathan Van Hooydonck first accelerated. It was an attack by Benoot on the Berendries that ensured that the big men really showed themselves for the first time. Van Aert, Tom Pidcock, his teammate Jonathan Narvaez and later also Sonny Colbrelli jumped 30 kilometers from the end.
It looked good for Jumbo-Visma, but all eyes in the group were on top favorite Van Aert. After the early escapees had been caught, Benoot drove away alone in front of the Wall and was given plenty of space from Van Aert. Pidcock gave chase for a while, but he soon realized that he was only going to smash his own windows. The result: no collaboration and a Benoot that kept getting smaller for them. Just before the Wall, the group was caught by the peloton and Benoot was also taken back at the top. It had to happen on the Bosberg, the last obstacle of the day.
Van Aert showed his class there. With mighty turns he took a good distance up the hill from men like Küng and Matteo Trentin. The collaboration was hard to find in the large chasing group of about thirty riders, while Van Aert just kept driving away from them. After 204 kilometers, the Belgian champion was allowed to make the victory gesture in his very first race of the season. A peace sign, which he also referred to later in the press moment.
Sonny Colbrelli won the sprint for second place in Ninove, well behind. Greg Van Avermaet completed the podium. Victor Campenaerts had several punctures and was also involved in several crashes, but managed to finish fifth behind Oliver Naesen.
Van Aert reflects on war
Van Aert looked back on his victory after the race. ,,Tiesj and I had forced things on the Berendries. It is always quiet for the Bosberg. I thought: if I can get a few meters before the cobblestones, that’s a good tactic. It worked. My plan was to go all the way to the top and then assess the situation, but it turned out that I already had a big lead. Tiesj did a fantastic job, I’m happy to finish it,” said the winner in front of Sporza’s camera afterwards.
“I want to say one more thing,” he says quickly when the interview is actually over. “I want to emphasize that race is the most important side issue in the world, with an emphasis on side issue. There is a war much closer than you It’s madness that this is still possible. I want to show my support for all it’s worth to everyone involved and hope that common sense will soon prevail,” he says of the war in Ukraine.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.