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day · fixed · Gent / Ninove (Start Gent, finish Ninove) BE

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Season-opening Flemish cobbled classic that traditionally kicks off the Belgian spring cycling calendar, running from Ghent to Ninove.

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Marketing angleinferred

Activate cycling enthusiasts and Belgian regional audiences during spring season-opener with sponsorship, live coverage, and fan engagement around cobbled-classic heritage.

Relevance 35medium intent
  • Behind-the-scenes training prep from pro cyclists ahead of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
  • Ghent-to-Ninove route guide: cobbled classics spotlights for cycling fans
  • Spring cycling season kicks off—gear up with pro-endorsed equipment
  • Local Belgian pride: celebrate the historic Flemish cycling tradition
Programme

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is a one-day road cycling race held annually in late February in Belgium, opening the Belgian cycling season and serving as the first race of the year in Northwestern Europe . The 2026 edition took place on 28 February, starting in Ghent and finishing in Ninove . It was the 81st edition and the fourth event of the 2026 UCI World Tour . Since 2006, a women's edition is held on the same day, both organised by Flanders Classics . [ "Elite men's race: 207.6 km featuring 8 cobbled sectors and 12 climbs, including iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg finale", "Elite women's race: 137.2 km on the same challenging route with cobbles and bergs", "Men's winner: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Premier Tech) in debut, soloed from Muur van Geraardsbergen", "Women's winner: Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) in maiden victory, outsprinting Kasia Niewiadoma", "UCI World Tour status with 25 teams (175 men's riders), all 18 WorldTeams plus 7 ProSeries teams competing", "Opening weekend paired with Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne the following day; also features amateur Omloop het Nieuwsblad Cyclo event with 4 distance options (60–150 km)" ]

Line-up
Men Elite Winner: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Premier Tech)Men Elite 2nd: Tim van Dijke (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe)Men Elite 3rd: Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Women Elite Winner: Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ)Women Elite 2nd: Kasia Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto)Women Elite 3rd: Lorena Wiebes (Lidl–Trek)

Saturday 28 Feb – Men Elite (207.6 km)

Start 11:05 from 't Kuipke velodrome in Ghent. Route covers Flemish Ardennes with 8 cobbled sectors, 12 climbs (Molenberg, Leberg, Berendries, etc.), iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg in finale, flat run-in to Ninove.

Saturday 28 Feb – Women Elite (137.2 km)

Same-day start in Ghent, finish Ninove. Features Wolvenberg, Molenberg, Berendries, two additional climbs (Tenbosse, Parikeberg) in final third, Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg decisive finale.

Sunday 1 March – Omloop het Nieuwsblad Cyclo

Amateur/sportive event with 4 distance options: 60 km, 80 km, 125 km, 150 km (latter starts/finishes Ghent; others Ninove). All include cobbles and iconic climbs.