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Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite Men - Live Coverage

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All the action from the first race of the Belgian season

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The day has finally arrived. After a long winter, the Belgian road season gets underway in Ghent this morning with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the first instalment in Opening Weekend. With the Tour of Flanders still five weeks away, the spring is still long, but this is the first opportunity for men like Wout van Aert, Kasper Asgreen et al to reacquaint themselves with the cobbles and hills of the Flemish Ardennes - and a chance to lay down a marker for the races to come. 

The roll out in Ghent is at 11am local time, with the peloton due to reach kilometre zero at 11.15. The thirteen hellingen on the agenda are as follows:

Patrick Fletcher is at the start in ’t Kuipke in Ghent, and he reports that BikeExchange-Jayo are starting with just five riders due to illness. Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) is also a non-starter with stomach problems. 

Peter Sagan

(Image credit: Daniel Ostanek)

Last year, and despite Julian Alaphilippe's long-range offensive, a larger than anticipated group contested the finish in Ninove, where Davide Ballerini won the sprint. Neither Alaphilippe nor Ballerini are in the QuickStep-AlpaVinyl line-up today, but Soren Kragh Andersen (DSM) believes a similarly large group could dispute the honours at the finish today. "I think because of the weather it will be a bit more controlled and a big group can come to the finish and we could have a sprint at the finish, it's possible," Andersen said. "I’m okay, you never really know how it is before the first race, but I got better at the tour of Oman. We race aggressive but we also have a really strong card if it comes down to a sprint."

Wout van Aert begins his road season this morning and the Belgian champion will be favoured to hit the ground running at the head of a Jumbo-Visma line-up bolstered by the arrival of Tiesj Benoot. "I think the guys who already have two short stage races in their legs will have a little advantage in the opening weekend. The effect of my altitude camp will come a little later and should give us that little bit extra in March-April," Van Aert told Wielerflits this week. "Omloop is more of a test for us to see how we can race together as a team. Of course, we want to achieve a result. We’ll start Omloop with ambition but absolutely not with a knife to our throat." 

The peloton has been flagged away from 't Kuipke for the start and the riders are navigating the neutralised zone as they make their way out of Ghent towards the official start in Merelbeke. 

-204km

Oliver Naesen

(Image credit: Daniel Ostanek)

Patrick Fletcher and Daniel Ostanek are in Belgium this weekend for Cyclingnews, providing all the news and reaction from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, while Josh Croxton is on hand to run his eye over any Classics tech developments in what is the most important dress rehearsal in pro cycling.

Tom Pidcock

(Image credit: Daniel Ostanek)

-194km

Mathijs Paasschens (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB) missed the initial move, but he is gradually bludgeoning his way across to the break, which is already almost a minute clear of the bunch.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Naesen (AG2R-Citroen) has crashed in the peloton and the Belgian has been forced to abandon the race in the opening kilometres.

-188km

The break's lead is edging out towards four minutes, with the peloton more than happy to grant them some early leeway. Mathijs Paasschens (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB) remains stuck in no-man's land, and he doesn't appear to be drawing any closer to the riders out in front.

-178km

-172km

Philippe Gilbert

(Image credit: Daniel Ostanek)

-162km

The Groupama-FDJ squad of Stefan Küng have joined the organising effort at the head of the peloton. The Swiss rider was disappointed to lose out to Remco Evenepoel by a minute in the 32.2km time trial at the Volta ao Algarve last week, but he showcased his early season form with a notable show of pace-making on behalf of David Gaudu at Alto da Fóia. Küng has never quite shown his full potential on the cobbles, but in Portugal last week, he told Cyclingnews why he hopes this year will be different. "Last year, honestly, my preparation was not ideal, I was maybe too motivated and by the time I got to the classics, I was already a bit tired," Küng said. "This year we tried a different approach, and we have a better team now, the younger guys have also a bit of experience in the classics. And yeah, then I know also myself: I have my strengths and some weaknesses, that’s for sure. I’m not the punchiest rider. But on the endurance side, I’m one of the best, so I have to go from far. I will try my best and I really want to do good this year in the classics."

-154km

Bahrain Victorious line up today with a squad that includes Matej Mohoric, Sonny Colbrelli, Phil Bauhaus, Fred Wright and Heinrich Haussler. In other words, they are not short on options on the road to Ninove. "The Muur is the most critical part of the race. We will see who is strong enough to win the race there," Mohoric said at the start in Ghent. "We have cards to play, we have myself, Sonny, Heinrich Haussler, Fred Wright. We’ll be active, and if it comes down to a sprint we have Sonny who is fast. I actually expect it to be different because there’s no Molenberg, but I think it’s going to be an open race. The big favourite is Wout van Aert but collectively QuickStep are strongest."

-146km

21-year-old Ben Healy is in his first season at WorldTour level having joined EF Education-EasyPost from Trinity Racing. The Irishman’s first races with his new team came in Spain earlier this month and his in the break today. “One of the reasons that I signed for them is because they’re really keen on developing me as a rider and sticking me into some big races as well,” Healy told Cyclingnews this winter. “Hopefully, if I perform in them then I’ll get further opportunities. They’ve really got a good plan for me.” Read more here.

-136km

The day's second hill, the Kattenberg, is still 30 or so kilometres away, but the race's passage over that climb marks the beginning of a new phase, as the succession of climbs will start to whittle down the peloton and wear down the break's resistance to boot. 

Ben Healy and the break at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Ben Healy and Donovan Grondin lead the break at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. (Image credit: Getty)

Gianni Moscon and Peter Sagan at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Gianni Moscon and Peter Sagan at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. (Image credit: Getty)

-125km

On Jebel Hafeet, Yates and Pogacar have been joined by Joao Almeida and Pello Bilbao ahead of the final kilometre. In Belgium, the escapees are 7:50 clear of the bunch.

Tadej Pogacar wins atop Jebel Hafeet to seal his second successive UAE Tour victory. A full report, results and pictures to follow on Cyclingnews.

More details on the final stage of the UAE Tour are available here.

-115km

-114km

The average speed thus far is a brisk 42kph, and we can expect the intensity to ratchet up considerably as the race hits the hills in earnest. 

-103km

-98km

The break is over the Kattenberg, the second of the day's climbs, still with a lead just shy of 7 minutes on the peloton.

A reminder of the climbs still ahead this afternoon on the 204km road to Ninove. 

-91km

-85km

-82km

The peloton is on the Paddestraart, where Brent Van Moer (Lotto Soudal) is setting the pace with Kasper Asgreen behind him. Van Moer's teammate Victor Campenaerts, meanwhile, is off the back, perhaps with a mechanical issue. 

Tom Scully (EF-EasyPost) attacks from the bunch after they come off the Paddestraat. There's still a sizeable peloton there, but the winnowing process is only beginning.

Scully is brought to heel by the peloton. Jumbo-Visma have been prominent at the front of the bunch thus far, and now we can see Peter Sagan moving up in the company of some TotalEnergies teammates.

-75km

There are a few accelerations at the head of the peloton, with Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ) eager to jump on any move going clear. Zdenek Stybar is up there for QuickStep. The bunch lines out, but so far, no counter-attack has managed to force its way clear.

Victor Campenaerts has worked his way back up to the bunch after his mechanical issue. The peloton is now on the climb of Hostellerie. Kasper Asgreen appears to have bumped and forced to put a foot down, but the Dane unhurriedly makes his way through the cars and chases his way back up to the bunch.

Asgreen is back in contact with the peloton. Ethan Hayter (Ineos) is occupying the final position in the bunch, seemingly by choice rather than by necessity. 

-72km

-71k

Those accelerations haven't split the bunch, but they have shaved some more seconds off the break's advantage. The next climb of the Valkenberg is 4km away.

Magnus Sheffield (Ineos) attacks from the peloton. Again, the reaction is immediate and the bunch lines out all over again. 

Magnus Sheffield's strength is such that he goes clear of the peloton alone. He looks over his shoulder, perhaps wishing for some company, but he opts to press on in thisn solo effort for now.

-68k

Quentin Jauregui (B&B Hotels-KTM) has been distanced from the break, leaving six riders at the head of the race. Sheffield continues in lone pursuit, 2:30 down, with a sizeable bunch not far behind him.

-66km

Jumbo-Visma lead the bunch onto the Valkenberg, 2:26 down on the break and 26 seconds behind the enterprising Magnus Sheffield.

Philippe Gilbert accelerates at the head of the peloton on the Valkenberg in an attempt to bring a group clear. 

Gilbert doesn't manage to get any separation from the bunch, but he continues piling on the pressure over the other side to see if he can get something going. 

-62km

-61km

Situation

-60km

-58km

A bad time for a mechanical problem for Michael Valgren as Edoardo Affini leads a Jumbo-Visma delegation on the approach to the Holleweg...

Ben Turner leads his Ineos teammate Tom Pidock through the right hand turn onto the Holleweg, and they are at the front as the cobbles begin.

A crash in the peloton sees a number of fallers, including Luke Durbridge (BikeExchange), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Soudal) and Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates). 

-55km

John Degenkolb (DSM) attacks in the peloton on the Wolvenberg. Ben Turner (Ineos) and Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Soudal) track the move...

Florian Vermeersch comes over the top of Degenkolb and pushes on with Loic Vliegen (Intermarche-Wanty) for company. This duo crests the top of the Wolvenberg with a slender lead over the peloton, which is being led by Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma).

-54km

The bunch has been whittled down notably by the Holleweg-Wolvenberg combination and one of the men distanced is Kasper Asgreen. It's not clear if the Dane had a mechanical issue or if he is still shy of condition after his bout of COVID-19 earlier in the month.

QuickStep-AlphaVinyl have been notable by their absence at the front since the climbs began, but they still have bodies in this peloton, include Yves Lampaert and 2019 winner Zdenek Stybar. 

Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) has attacked from the peloton and he sets out in lone pursuit of Vermeersch and Vliegen. 

-50km

It's a striking show of force from Kung, who joins forces with Vermeersch and Vliegen. They are in the process of making it across to the break, which has begun to fragment...

-49km

-47km

Next up is the climb of Marlboroughstraat. The Küng-Vermeersch group is almost upon the leaders, which will make it an nine-man break at the front.

-44km

The remaining climbs are as follows:

Jumbo-Visma lead the chasing peloton ahead of Marlboroughstraat. Campenaerts, a faller on the cobbles ealier, has successfully chased his way back on. 

QuickStep-AlphaVinyl have joined Jumbo-Visma in the organising effort at the head of the peloton. The Küng group has a lead of 37 seconds as they approach the Marlboroughstraat.

This is not Victor Campenaerts' day. Another bike problem for the Belgian, who calmly lays his machine on the roadside and then mounts his replacement, ready to give chase all over again.

Peter Sagan is well placed in the main peloton alongside teammate Daniel Oss, but does the Slovakian have the legs to be a factor in the finale?

-41km

A crash in the peloton and Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) looks to be the worst afflicted. The Colombian sits on the road clutching his collarbone.

Tom Scully was also caught up in that crash, though he stayed upright at least, and he is back on the road and giving chase. 

-40km

Jumbo-Visma lead the bunch over the top of the Marlboroughstraat. Peter Sagan sits at the very rear of the peloton as he crests the summit. After a quick descent, they tackle the Biesestraat in quick succession.

-38km

-37km

Küng leads the break onto the cobbles of Haaghoek and the break's lead is out to 51 seconds over the peloton. There are still almost 100 riders or so in the bunch, but surely the next ascent of the Leberg will force a greater selection...

Ben Turner has impressed today for Ineos, and he is back at the head of the peloton riding on behalf of Pidcock. Fast finishers in this peloton include Van Aert, Sagan, Pidcock and Sonny Colbrelli

-35km

Van Hooydonck sets a fearsome pace, with Greg Van Avermaet on his wheel. Yves Lampaert is also prominent, but that acceleration hasn't done much to whittle down the bunch just yet. Sonny Colbrelli is also climbing comfortably thus far.

-34km

Four climbs remain: 

-32km

Trentin and Mohoric are in a group of four that has carved out a few seconds of a lead over the peloton ahead of the Berendries. Küng and company are 47 seconds clear. 

-31km

Benoot's searing effort has brought three riders clear with him - the Ineos duo of Pidcock and Jhonathan Narvaez, and his team leader Wout van Aert...

Sonny Colbrelli realises the danger, and the European champion sets off in lone pursuit. He conjures up the strenght  to make this a five-man counter-attack over the top of the Berendries...

-30km

Benoot leads this elite chasing group onto the Elverenberg-Vossenhol, the day's third last climb. Sagan, meanwhile, has been dropped from the back of the peloton. 

Benoot buries himself on behalf of Van Aert, who now comes through and looks to marshal some help from the others.

-28km

-27km

-26km

Break:

Two storied climbs remain on the agenda as the race tackles the old, beloved finale the Tour of Flanders. The Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg will be decisive.

-24km

-22km

The survivors form the early break are, very understandably, struggling to contribute to the pace-making in front, but there is decent cohesion among Colbrelli, Van Aert, Benoot, Pidcock, Vermeersch et al, and it's hard to see this group being pegged back.

Kasper Asgreen piles on the pressure at the head of the peloton, which remains 35 seconds down on the 11 leaders. 

-21km

-20km

Narvaez takes a turn on the front but then peels off looking for help. None is forthcoming and Benoot's buffer grows. The loss of momentum in the group, however, could see Van Aert, Pidcock et al caught by the peloton if there isn't a change in tack.

-18km

Tiesj Benoot begins the Muur with 22 seconds in hand on the peloton, which has caught the Van Aert-Pidcock group...

Benoot is still pedalling smoothly as the gradient begins to bite, but what sparks will fly in the peloton behind?

Stefen Küng leads the bunch with Trentin and Van Aert on his wheel as they approach to meat of the Muur...

Van Aert, Colbrelli, Mohoric and Trentin are at Küng's shoulder in this lined out peloton. And now Van Aert comes through approaching the chapel at the summit...

-16km

There are small gaps in the lined out bunch over the Muur. Van Aert, Mohoric, Trentin and Colbrelli have caught Benoot at the front, but it looks as though they will all be swept up by the chasing peloton...

-15km

Victor Campenaerts, despite all of his problems, has made this front group, and now he tracks an attack from Oliver Naesen (AG2R Citroen)...

The front group is splintering and reforming, not unlike that breathless finale to the 2011 Tour of Flanders on this road... Pidcock and Van Aert are still up there in this front group and theuy will surely be very much in the mix...

-13km

-12km

A larger group of 30 riders is the third group on the road, but Van Aert extends his advantage over the other side of the Bosberg. His lead is 10 seconds and it's a tailwind from here to Ninove...

-11km

-10km

Matej Mohoric tries to bring a group clear from the chasers, but Van Aert's advantage is growing. The Belgian is 12 seconds clear and showing no sign of relenting. 

Mohoric leads the chasing group of 20 riders with Mohoric tucked on his wheel. Pidcock, Trentin, Küng, Van Avermaet and Naesen are all in this group, but they're losing ground to Van Aert. 16 seconds the gap...

-8km

-7km

-6km

-5km

-4km

-3km

-2km

Still Van Aert extends his lead. 33 seconds the gap. This is an exhibition. 

-1km

Van Aert looks repeatedly over his shoulder but he must already know this race is in the bag...

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) wins the 2022 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a remarkable solo exhibition.

Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious) wins the sprint for second ahead of Greg Van Avermaet (AG2R Citroën), 22 seconds down on Van Aert.

Van Aert climbs off his bike and greets his wife and son at the finish line before he is led to the podium. Heinrich Haussler leads the main peloton home, 1:30 down on Van Aert.

NINOVE BELGIUM FEBRUARY 26 Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Jumbo Visma competes during the 77th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2022 Mens Race a 2042km race from Ghent to Ninove OHN22 FlandersClassic WorldTour on February 26 2022 in Ninove Belgium Photo by Bas CzerwinskiGetty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Result

That was a remarkable display from Campenaerts, who had to chase back at least twice, after a crash and a bike change. The Belgian was the man closest to the scene when Van Aert powered away just before the cobbles on the Bosberg, and he had the strength to sprint to 5th place.

Belgian Wout Van Aert of Team JumboVisma pictured in action during the mens elite race of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad oneday cycling race 2042km from Gent to Ninove Saturday 26 February 2022BELGA PHOTO DAVID STOCKMAN Photo by DAVID STOCKMANBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Wout van Aert

(Image credit: Getty)
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Results
Pos.Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Wout Van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma 4:50:48
2Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious 0:00:22
3Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) AG2R Citroen Team
4Oliver Naesen (Bel) AG2R Citroen Team
5Victor Campenaerts (Bel) Lotto Soudal
6Rasmus Tiller (Nor) Uno-X Pro Cycling Team
7Matteo Trentin (Ita) UAE Team Emirates
8Andrea Pasqualon (Ita) Intermarch�-Wanty-Gobert Mat�riaux
9Florian Senechal (Fra) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team
10Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo

Belgiums Wout Van Aert of Team JumboVisma rides during the mens elite race of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad oneday cycling race 2042km from Gent to Ninove on February 26 2022 Belgium OUT Photo by DAVID STOCKMAN Belga AFP Belgium OUT Photo by DAVID STOCKMANBelgaAFP via Getty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Belgian Wout Van Aert of Team JumboVisma celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the mens elite race of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad oneday cycling race 2042km from Gent to Ninove Saturday 26 February 2022 BELGA PHOTO KRISTOF VAN ACCOM Photo by KRISTOF VAN ACCOMBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images)

In his post-race interview, Wout van Aert expressed his solidarity with the people of Ukraine following the Russian invasion. "I want to say one more thing: bike racing is the most important side issue in the world, with the emphasis on side issue. It's just madness that war is still possible today, and so close. For what it's worth, I would like to express my support to everyone involved in Ukraine."

Thanks for following our live coverage of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Cyclingnews today. A full report, results and pictures are available here, while Patrick Fletcher and Daniel Ostanek will have all the news and reaction from Ninove, including from Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2022 77th Edition Gent Ninove 2042 km 26022022 Wout Van Aert BEL Team Jumbo Visma photo Nico VereeckenPNCVSprintCyclingAgency2022

(Image credit: Spring Cycling Agency)

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