Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - Live coverage

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. It’s the start of Opening Weekend and to some of our readers out there, the start of the European racing season.

We have live text coverage throughout the day and we’re about an hour away from the official start of the race. We’ve gone electric so our CN blimp is charging up nicely, while we have our very own Brecht Decaluwe on the start line in Gent as we can see a few teams start to arrive. Sign on will start in about 15 minutes or so with teams just going through their final briefings and mechanics about to start setting up bikes and fine-tuning any last requests or changes from the riders.

Ahead of the riders, we have 201km from Gent to Ninove, with 9 sectors of cobbles and 13 climbs in total. The race organisers have been sensible and decided not to publish the route well in advance but ascents like the Bosberg (that’s today’s final climb), the Leburg and the Muur-Kapelmuur all feature today. One of my favourite climbs, the Berendries, where Rolf Sorensen dropped Laurent Jalabert on his way to winning the 1997 edition of the Tour of Flanders is also in the route.

The first climb of the day though is Leberg, which features three times today. The first ascent comes at kilometer 49 but by then we should have our early break and the race should be relatively settled.

Some early news from Belgium.

The battles on the climbs today will form only one part of the action though, because it’s the competitive race into the foot of the ascents where the real battles begin. In a sense those battles are more important than what happens on the climbs – at least in the first half of the race – because riders will not want give up position or lose ground early on.

We can see our first riders starting to peak their heads out of team buses. We need David Attenborough narrating at this point.

“The young begin to show interest as they venture out. They start to squeak and we’re able to have a little chat and with every step they begin to find their confidence.”

Back to the route and the key section will as ever be the final 50km as we’ve got climbs 7-13 crammed within those kilometers. The final climb comes around 13km from the finish though, so there’s always the chance of a break going away and surviving to the line. Last year’s winner Jasper Stuyven is on the start line and he wears number one. He’s a major favourtie for the win again today and he lines up with his partner in crime and former world champion Mads Pedersen.

We actually spoke to the Dane on Thursday, and here’s what he had to say about the Opening Weekend and Classics racing in general really.

Ah you’re probably wondering where we are with live for UAE today. Alas it’s not on our programme and we’re instead turning all our attention to Opening Weekend. We will, however post as many updates as we came from the Middle East, and we’ll have a full report and results from the final stage. Stay tuned.

Teams have started to sign on and we're about 35 minutes from the official start.

Don’t forget you can stream the event right here.

You just need to set up a VPN, or download a subscription from one of the major broadcasters. 

There's a women's Omloop today too. We'll keep you updated on the action, and we'll have a complete race report, news, photos, results and analysis later on today. Meanwhile, check out our interview with Emilia Fahlin. She's had a tough couple of years but is a model pro and personifies dedication and hard work. Click here. 

Brecht Decaluwe has just radioed in having spoken to Sep Vanmarcke. We're in the CN blimp and up and running but what did Sep say, Brecht (over)?

Sep Vanmarcke: "I hope to have a good day. It's been a while. I want to ride the finale. In previous years the light went out too soon. The crowd is missed here."

CN: Brecht, say over. Over.

Brecht: ...

Our official start list for today’s race is right here too. 

More from Brecht Decaluwe, our man on the ground in Gent this morning. He spoke to Jasper Philipsen.

"Emirates trip was't a big success. We got the win but lost two riders and covered many days traveling." 

It's a big chance for the Belgian (Philipsen, not Brecht) today.

We’ll start pottering through some of the teams as we build up to the race but we’ve got some news coming out shortly, along with an exclusive interview with Yves Lambaert.

It's cold and foggy this morning in Gent, and riders are in jackets and thermals as a few more head to the sign, are presented to the media, and then slowly freewheel back to the team bus for one last coffee. 

A bit of a plug here for our Owain Doull interview. He was second in Kuurne a couple of years ago and with Ian Stannard retiring, Luke Rowe in UAE and Dylan van Baarle not her, the Welshman has added responsibility today. We spoke to him on Thursday about the Classics, his development and a very difficult 2020. Story is here.

Away from Opening Weekend, the biggest news story surrounds Quinn Simmons. Trek Segafredo suspended him last year due to his actions on social media that the team described as "divisive, incendiary, and detrimental". Suspension over and CN were invited to a roundtable with Velonews, Gazzetta and Simmons. Here's what the rider had to say.

Back to Belgium and Brecht Decaluwe has spoken to last year's winner:

"To me the team is just as strong as last year. The competition is different but we're among the strong teams. I've got a scenario in my mind. Much depends on the wind in the finale."

We also have this lovely photo gallery of riders out on recon ahead of today’s race. View as your leisure.

We've also listed our top-10 riders to watch for today's men's race. Just click here.

And here's our feature on the top contenders for the women's race.

Here's a bit of the Owain Doull interview that didn't make it into the story.

"This team is more geared to Grand Tours and stage race. That’s what the team is built around but if you look around our Classics squad we’ve got guys who have been up there in the Monuments before. I remember lining up for Roubaix a couple of years ago and five of the guys had been top ten in the race before, or top five. It’s just about getting it to click on the day and working off each other. I don’t think that I could pin-point one reason why we’ve not had success before in the Classics."

Race start

And we're off. The riders are rolling through the neutralized zone for the 2021  Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

And our weather report from the start of the race this morning: 3°C. Still foggy. Not a lot of wind but it should clear up.

Once we get through the neutralized zone the flag will drop and there will be attack after attack as the early break tries to form and build a lead over the peloton.

It's about 50km until we hit the Leberg, the first climb of the race, but the main break should form by then.

173 riders in the main field, as we're missing two riders from Israel Start-Up Nation due to a positive COVID-19 test in the camp. The riders not starting are Reto Hollenstein and Guillaume Boivin.

It will be fascinating to see how Van Averamaet and Naesen pair up today. This is their classics debut as a tandem and they both have the talent to win this race. Van Avermaet of course won this race back in 2016 and then again in 2017. Here's a story on their collaboration. 

Situation

Just under 90km to go in the UAE at the moment - as we head for a sprint, while we've got a shade over 195km to go here.

5km into the race and we're still waiting for the break to form. There have been sporadic attacks but nothing has stuck so far. It's still very early though.

10km into the race and we have a break of five riders up the road, with a gap of around 25 seconds.

De Ketele (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise)

De Backer (B&B)

Fedorov (Astana)

Gibbons (UAE)

Louvel (Arkéa-Samsic)

De Backer is probably the most experienced rider in the mix. He's 36 and was part of a very talented Skil Shimano team a few years ago. No major wins but lots of good and consistent rides in the Classics for both himself and his teammates. He makes a very good post-race interview too. I remember talking to him at the finish of Dwars and E3 almost a decade ago. 

Back in the bunch and Stefan Küng is forced to stop and take a new bike. He's up and running pretty swiftly and won't have any problems making it back to the main field.

Almost a full minute for our five leaders as we see a few support cars start to make their way up. This looks like our settled break for the race. 191km to go.

2:10 for our break and the advantage just keeps growing. The look relatively relaxed. They probably know that Patrick Lefevere will position his men towards the front before the gap exceeds seven or eight minutes.

Ryan Gibbons is riding this race for just the second time in his career but the former Dimension Data is putting in a good ride for his new team UAE Team Emirates today. 

Meanwhile this is just Yevgeniy Fedorov's first WorldTour outing having turned pro at the start of the season. The 21-year-old is throwing himself into the deep end but is riding on the front foot by making it into the break. He's got some decent results behind him, including second in the Tour of Langkawi, where he also won a stage. Both of those results came last year.

188km to go

3'44 now for our five leaders and very little response yet from the main field.

Situation

A reminder of the riders in the break: Kenny De Ketele (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise), Bert De Backer (B&B Hotels), Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana Premier Tech), Ryan Gibbons (UAE) and Matis Louvel (Arkéa-Samsic). 

25km covered and the gap to the peloton is at 4'52.

Over in the UAE Tour, we have 55km to go and it looks like we're heading for another bunch sprint. Can Sam Bennett take his third win of the race or with Viviani, Ewan or Gaviria spoil the party?

Back to Omloop andd we're about 25km from the first climb of the day, the Leberg. The riders will race up the climb three times today.

34km into the race and the leaders are working really well together. They have 8'40 over the peloton, who are content to ride this one out in the early stages. That approach will change significantly when we head towards the Leberg because although it's not a decisive climb, positioning will be key and none of the contenders will want to miss out.

Over in the UAE it looks as though Ineos have split the bunch. Pogacar is there but a number of sprinters have missed out. There's a big chase on with 45km to go.

The bunch has seen enough and Tim Declercq moves to the front and slowly starts to raise the pace within the peloton. 162km to go and the chase - and the race into the foot of the Leberg - is officially on.

Huge crash in the UAE Tour and Adam Yates is involved. The bunch has sat up.

The UAE Team move up and it looks like they've neutralized the stage for now as we see Yates back on the bike, some blood coming from his face. That crash was right at the front and Yates was one of the first riders to go down. 

Back to Belgium and we're onto the Leberg with the gap to the main field at 8'05 as the peloton continue to lead the chase.

Deceuninck-QuickStep are the team on the front and setting the pace as the bunch close in on the first climb.

Adam Yates is still back with the team car in the UAE and getting his face looked at by the doctor. He's sitting second overall as the peloton show him respect and continue to tap out a gentle pace. 36km to go there.

Back to Belgium and the break are over the top of the Leberg. Den Ast is next at around 76km of racing.

The peloton are holding the break at eight minutes. 

Deceuninck-Quick Step are content to just let the break sit there at eight minutes for the time being. There's little reaction from the rest of the field at this point.

A few riders from Jumbo-Visma have moved towards the front as well as the action begins to heat up. We've still around 135km to go. Meanwhile, we're into the final 25km in the UAE.

There's been a crash here in Belgium with riders from Bahrain-Victorious, Groupama-FDJ and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert hitting the deck. We'll have more on that as we get it.

The crash is a result of the tension and the fight for space in the peloton. 

125km to go

125km to go and the gap is at 8'00.

The bunch have shaved a full minute off the break's lead with the gap down to 7'10 as Alaphilippe's team turn the screw and put the pressure on the five riders up the road.

We're onto Den Ast, the second climb of the day as Deceuninck-QuickStep continue to set the pace at the head of the peloton. 

Inside the final 5km at the UAE Tour and we're heading for a sprint finish.

Pogacar is crowned the overall winner of the 2021 UAE Tour, while Caleb Ewan wins the final stage ahead of Bennett. Here's our report. 

Back in Belgium and more and more riders are starting to shed layers of clothing. 113km to go in the race and the gap is at 6'50.

The Katteberg and then the second ascent of the Leberg are still to come for both the break and the main field.

Tim Declercq is still on the front and crushing the dreams of the riders in the break. He's been on the front for about 40km and shows no sign of weakening. Meanwhile his team leader Alaphilippe is sheltering in the peloton and getting ready for the final set of climbs, where he will no doubt try and break up the race.

The gap to the break is slowly coming down, it's at 6'10 now. 

We race through through feedzone with just over 100km to and the Katteberg up next on the menu. 

96km to go

Just under 100km to go and the gap is down to 5'45. 

A reminder of the riders in the break

Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana-Premier Tech) Ryan Gibbons (UAE-Team Emirates) Kenny De Ketele (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) Bert De Backer (B&B Hotels p/b KTM) and Matis Louvel (Arkea-Samsic). They had a lead of just under nine minutes but they've been losing time steadily since around the first ascent of the Leberg.

Onto the Haaghoek stretch of cobbles now for the leaders, and soon the main peloton. 

Our full report from the final stage of the UAE Tour, is right here.

Docker and Colbrelli have been involved in a crash. That's a massive blow for Bahrain for both today's and tomorrow's race.

The young Jakob Egholm has also lost contact with the main field as this race becomes more of a war of attrition. 

We've not mentioned Tom Pidcock but he's present and accounted for near the front of the peloton.

Cortina is also near the front and the former Bahrain rider is one of those riders to watch today. He was a very good signing for Movistar, a team that are desperate to up their win rate after a poor 2020.

Some rain now out on the course. Nothing too heavy but that will make the cobbles slippery and make the fight for position even more tense. 86km to go.

Back in the peloton and Trek and Bahrain hit the front as the lead the chase along the cobbles.

Asgreen and Doull have come down in a fall alongside more riders. Frison is down, same with Vanmarcke and Van Avermaet. The latter two are back on their bikes. 

Matis Louvel (Arkea-Samsic) has lost contact with the break. He need to stop for a mechanical as attacks from the peloton begin with EF throwing a rider up the road.

Right at the back and Van Avermaet is making contact with the peloton after his spill.

Good chase from Matis Louvel (Arkea-Samsic) who makes it back to the break with 77km to go.

The five leaders have just 3'12 on the peloton with 74km to go as DSM make an appearance on the front. 

We are climbing again and there's another furious sprint into the base of the climb as we see Intermarche try and launch a rider up the road. 

Onto the next climb already and EF, UAE and Asgreen, who won Kuurne last year accelerate. Nothing sticks but riders at the back are struggling.

Riders are being dropped all over the place as with 71km to Asgreen hits the front and sets the pace. 

EF try once more with Julius van den Berg going up the road with 67km to go.

The EF rider has about 10 seconds of a gap at the moment but this is a good move at this point in the race. The American team want a hard race.

The break are losing time steadily with the gap at 2'14 with 65km to go.

Onto the Valkenburg for the leaders and they're really starting to struggle at this point.

The peloton hit the climb and Pedersen is positioned right at the front for Trek-Segafedo.

No Peter Sagan for Bora but the German team do have their new signing Nils Politt in their line up today for his first Classics outing for the team.

BikeExchange move their riders to the front now with 62km to go because the climbs come thick and fast at this point. 

Here's our story on Adam Yates following his heavy fall at the UAE Tour.

Cofidis are trying to play their hand as we fast approach the foot of the Wolvenberg. 

It's basically a full-on sprint into the foot of the climb.

FDJ are on the front right now but Asgreen is second wheel and looking very dangerous. 

Ballerini, Benoot, and the world champion are all near thee front but the race has burst into life and here comes a major right turn.

Crash for Timmo Wellens. 

A soft landing and he's back on his bike.

Pidcock is fifth wheel at the moment and looking comfortable but now there's a major crash.

Seiberg, Colbrelli (again), a rider from Bora is in a bad way and there are others.

That crash was coming. You could almost see it coming but lets hope all the riders are okay.

Alaphilippe is second wheel on the Wolvenberg with his teammate setting him up. The break are at 1'16 with 53km to go.

There are about 40-50 riders struggling at the back of the main field as Lampaert leads the peloton.

Onto  a tough stretch of cobbles and Lampaert continues to set the pace with the world champion on his wheel. 

Another tight left hander but this time they're all through safely, apart from Lampaert who crashes. He was too hot going into that bend. He's got a bike and should be able to regain contact. 

Attack from Campenaerts with 50km to go. 

There's a small gap but it's coming back together as we see another flurry of moves. Asgreen counters. 

48km to go and the day's early break have just 22 seconds.

The Molenberg is coming up and we've got two more riders off the front from Movistar and Jumbo Visma. The peloton are at 32 seconds with 45km to go.

We're 1km from the climb but that five man group are still clear. There's another crash with 44km to go with Affiini one of the riders on the deck.

Trek have numbers on the front. Bora have the other side side as the break hit the climb with De Backer leading he way.

The bunch are effectively sprinting into this next corner.

That looks like Stybar on the front and he's passed by Trentin who isn't waiting around.

Open this email, thinks Trentin as he gets a gap before Alphilippe shuts the move down.

43km to go and Alaphilippe pushes on with a group that includes Stybar and Ballerini. Trek appear to have been caught out.

Trentin is there, and Alaphilippe with around 10 riders in this key move. Trek need to close this down because this is a massive moment in the race. Van Avermaet is in the move. 

It looks like 10 riders in that move as the bunch is strung out behind. 41km to go.

Alaphilippe and his group have just caught the early break with 41km to go. The riders have a short descent before we hit another stretch of cobbles. 

Vanmarcke is in the group too but with three Quickstep riders they're in the driving seat.

They've got abut 10 seconds and Pidcock is in a two-man counter attack. 

Pidcock is doing a great job in closing that gap. That's a huge effort. He makes contact with 39km to go. 

This group have 13 seconds on the main field as we hit the Haaghoek stretch of cobbles. 

Bahrain, Bora, Lotto Soudal and Trek have all missed this move. 

And we hit the Leberg for the third and final time with the world champion setting a ridiculous pace. 

The Frenchman stretches out the group but the gap is still holding at about 15 seconds. 

25 seconds for the leaders now with 35km to go.

The leaders hit the Berendries and Alaphilippe attacks. Laporte can't follow and Gogl is leading the chase. No one can respond. 32km to go. 

Pidcock goes!

Laporte goes with the Ineos rider but the pair are about to be swallowed up. Further up the road and Alaphilippe has a gap of around 10 seconds. 31km to go.

The world champion has 14 seconds and the chase group look fairly resigned but there's still a long way to go.

The riders in the chase: Ballerini, Stybar, Van Avermaet, Pidcock, Laporte, Geniets, Gogl, Vanmarcke, Kooij, Jacobs, Trentin, Livyns. 

Pidcock goes again and Van Avermaet struggles to catch him but now the Olympic champion responds but Alaphilippe has 23 seconds. 

28km to go and Alaphilippe keeps getting out of the saddle as he looks for more speed through the corners. The gap is 22 seconds with 28km to go.

It looks like the peloton will catch the Pidcock group through with DSM leading the chase. 

So we've got Alaphilippe, then Ballerini, Stybar, Van Avermaet, Pidcock, Laporte, Geniets, Gogl, Vanmarcke, Kooij, Jacobs, Trentin, Livyns. at 16 seconds and then the bunch at 40 seconds.

26km to go and a touch of wheels and Stybar is down! He back on his feet but his day is over. 

And this chase group have found a second wind and the gap is at 13 seconds. Ballerini is still there though. This race is so well balanced right now.

12 seconds as Alaphilippe holds his own against the chase group but we still have a two more climbs to go and then the long run-in to the finish.

Trentin has a mechanical but just needs some assistance as he keeps riding at the back of the group. The gap now though is back at 17 seconds with the bunch at 33. This could all come back together again before the finish.

14 seconds for the lone leader but the bunch - third group - are at 26 seconds. 20km to go.

The remnants of the bunch can see the Trentin group up ahead as we race towards the Muur. 

Alaphilippe is just ten seconds clear... the gap is coming down.

The world champion is almost sitting up now. 19km to go. Who will counter?

He's caught and the bunch are at just 10 seconds as we hit the Muur.

18km to go and the race is all back together. 

Alaphilippe hits the front and sets the pace.

There are lots of splits in the main field but the world champion is still on the front and setting the pace.

Vanmarcke hits the front and Alaphilippe peels off.

Moscon takes over at the front.

Ineos have numbers as Vanmarcke and Cortina are in contention.

Moscon has a gap though with 17km to go.

Cortina is chasing as we crest the top of the climb but we still have about 40 riders. Kristoff is there!

16km to go and Moscon's gap is at about 8 seconds. 

Some counter attacks fly off the front but Moscon is still leading the race.

Just one more climb to come, the Bosberg and we have 14 km to go with Moscon still dangling off the front. 

Alaphilippe turns domestique once more and hits the front with Moscon holding an eight second lead.

Onto the Bosberg and Moscon is on the front and leading but the gap is coming down. Assos attack.

Moscon caught. 13km to go.

It's all back together with 13km to go. Kung takes it up. 

Hayter, Cortina, Ballerini, Kristoff and a number of other sprinters are still here. 

Casper Pedersen is also still here.

Asgreen and Alaphilippe hit the front of the peloton and start to set the pace with 11km to go.

The Belgian team look like they want a sprint but at the back we have Gilbert, who might launch a late attack. 

The world champion continues to set the pace while we see Coquard is also in the mix. Watch out for Kristoff though. Is Mads Pedersen there though?

Ineos have plenty of numbers in the bunch right now but not much sign of Trek Segafredo.

Under 6km to go.

Alaphilippe is still on the front. He's been immense today for his team.

4.7km to go.

As Lampaert hits the front with 4.4km to go.

Can't see a single Trek rider in there.

Ballerini has a really good leadout, with four riders in front of him but Ineos are a real threat too. 

It looks like Trentin will lead out Kristoff 3.5km to go.

Teuns and Haussler are also there. Any last ditch attacks?

We're winding up for a sprint. 2.5km to go.

Alpecin have riders but not sure if Philipsen is there. 2km to go.

Kristoff mechanical! He's out. And a crash for Hayter too.

Ineos... do they have a plan B? 1km to go.

800m to and Asgreen leads out.

Gilbert is fourth wheel. 

Ballerini hits the front.

No one can come close. Davide Ballerini wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. There was no competition in that sprint. At all. He was that far ahead.

Kristoff comes over the line, a dejected figure.

Best team, best lead out, best sprint.

Jake Stewart was second, Sep Vanmarcke in third and Heinrich Haussler in fourth.

Here is our report, results and photos from today's race. 

Here's our report from the women's race. Anna van der Breggen wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite Women.

Let's hear from Jake Stewart, who was second today.

“I’m still trying to discover my potential,” he said. 

“This is where my heart is and I love the Belgian races. This is well I want to excel. It’s where I want to see a good career. Where weren’t sure where I was going to excel on the road but we’ve found my potential in these harder races. We’ll try and build on it.”

Story is here!

That's about all from our coverage from today's race. We'll be back tomorrow with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.