Van der Poel Wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Debut, Eyes Historic Flanders Double
Gent, Belgium – February 28, 2026 – Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech made a stunning debut at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, becoming the first rider in 25 years to win the race in his first attempt. The victory sets the stage for a potential historic season as Van der Poel aims to become the first cyclist to win both the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Tour of Flanders in the same year.
Dominant Performance on Cobbled Classics Opener
Van der Poel mirrored the achievement of Michele Bartoli, delivering a sublime performance. He made a decisive move on the Molenberg, joining a breakaway before dropping his companions at the start of the legendary Muur van Geraardsbergen with 16km remaining. He powered up the cobbled ascent, gaining a 16-second lead over Florian Vermeersch (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Tim Van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) at the summit.
With 11km to go, Van der Poel held a 38-second advantage, extending it to 1:06 over the peloton. He maintained this commanding lead, crossing the finish line in Ninove 22 seconds ahead of Van Dijke, who secured second place after a sprint finish.
Skill and Resilience in Challenging Conditions
Van der Poel’s victory wasn’t solely based on strength; it likewise showcased the exceptional bike-handling skills honed through years of cyclocross racing. He narrowly avoided a crash involving Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling) at the bottom of the Molenberg, demonstrating quick reflexes to regain control and rejoin the lead group.
“I am very happy myself, and the team is undoubtedly too,” Van der Poel said after the race. “This one was not yet on our list [of victories].” He credited a shout from his father, Adri van der Poel – a former winner of the Tour of Flanders – with providing crucial information about his lead.
“That was important, because I didn’t know what my advantage was at the time,” Van der Poel added. “It’s fun to finish it off like this. I like to drive across the Muur. I have already won beautiful races there and it also helps that the tailwind was in the final. That worked in my favor.”
Historic Bid for Omloop-Flanders Double
Van der Poel’s win places him in contention for a unique achievement: becoming the first rider to win both the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Tour of Flanders in the same season. He acknowledged the challenge but expressed his determination to overcome the historical precedent.
Strong Field Contested in Rainy Conditions
Despite the absence of Wout van Aert due to illness and Tadej Pogačar’s delayed start to the season, the race featured a competitive field including Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step), Mathew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Premier Tech), Biniam Girmay (NSN Pro Cycling), Arnaud de Lie (Lotto-Intermarché), Tim Wellens (UAE Emirate XRG), and reigning champion Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility).
The race course included 13 cobbled sections, including the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg. Several riders faced setbacks due to mechanical issues and crashes, including Pidcock, Magnier, Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers), and Philipsen.
Race Dynamics and Breakaway Attempts
Jelte Krijnsen (Team Jayco AlUla) initiated an early breakaway with over 200km remaining, later joined by Alexis Renard (Cofidis), Clément Alleno (Burgos Burpellet BH), Vincent Van Hemelen (Team Flanders-Baloise), and Alexys Brunel (TotalEnergies). The breakaway gained a maximum advantage of 3:50 before being reeled in by the peloton.
The decisive move came on the Molenberg, where Vermeersch initially attacked. Van der Poel responded, catching Vermeersch and Van Dijke, and the trio joined the remnants of the breakaway. Van der Poel then launched his winning attack on the Muur van Geraardsbergen, leaving his rivals behind.
Cyclocross Foundation Fuels Road Success
Van der Poel’s victory underscored the benefits of his strong cyclocross foundation and dedicated endurance training in Spain.