Omloop Het Nieuwsblad


Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, previously Omloop Het Volk, is a one-day road cycling race in Belgium, held annually in late February. It is the opening event of the Belgian cycling season, as well as the first race of the year in Northwestern Europe, and holds significant prestige because of it. Since 2017, the race is part of the UCI World Tour, cycling's top-tier professional events.
The race starts in Ghent, Flanders and finishes in Ninove, Flanders. The race route covers the hills in the Flemish Ardennes, marking the start of the cobbled classics season in Europe. Due to its early calendar date, it is characterized by often cold weather, coming as a contrast to the early-season stage races in the Middle East and Southern Europe. The day after the Omloop, Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne completes the opening weekend.
Since 2006, a women's edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is held on the same day as the men's race, also starting in Ghent and finishing in Ninove, approximately 130 kilometres in distance. Annemiek van Vleuten won the 2020 edition. Both events are organized by Flanders Classics.

History

Omloop Het Volk

First held in 1945, the race was called Omloop van Vlaanderen . The event was initiated by Flemish newspaper Het Volk, in response to rivaling newspaper Het Nieuwsblad’s classic, the Tour of Flanders. Het Volk, of left-leaning publication, wanted to start a new cycling event in Flanders as a rival race to what it saw as the Tour of Flanders' closeness to the Nazis during World War II. The Ronde's organizers protested that the name was too close to their own – there is little semantic difference between "Ronde" and "Omloop". The Belgian cycling federation demanded Het Volk to change the name of the event, prompting Het Volk to serve as title sponsor of their own race. In 2009 the former rival newspapers Het Volk and Het Nieuwsblad merged, causing the event to be renamed Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for its 64th edition. Until 2016, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was ranked as a 1.HC event of the UCI Europe Tour; since 2017, it is included in the UCI World Tour.

Winter race

Due to its early-season calendar date, the race has occasionally been affected by cold and wintry conditions. Three editions of the event were cancelled. The 1971 race was postponed due to snow and run three weeks later. In 1986 and 2004 organizers were forced to cancel the race, as snow and freezing temperatures had made the route too dangerous and riders' safety could not be guaranteed. In modern times, organizers rely heavily on weather forecasts and adjust the course if some sectors are deemed unsafe. Unrelated to the weather, the 1960 race was cancelled following a disagreement between the organizers and cycling's ruling body UCI.

Belgian opening race

Traditionally the opening event of the Belgian cycling season, the race holds particular importance for Belgian cyclists. Throughout its history, Belgian riders, comfortable with cold weather and aided by large, supportive crowds, have dominated the race. Belgians have won 56 editions, although, exemplary for the growing international status of the race, they have only won four of the last ten editions. In 1948 Italian cycling icon Fausto Coppi won the race, but was disqualified for receiving an illegal wheel-change.
The record for wins is three, shared by Joseph Bruyère, Ernest Sterckx and Peter van Petegem. Bruyère holds the fastest average for his 1975 win. Other notable winners include Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck, Freddy Maertens, Johan Museeuw, Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd.

Route

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad starts in Ghent, East Flanders, and addresses the Flemish Ardennes in the south of the province, featuring numerous short climbs, before returning to Ghent. From 1996 until 2007 the finish was in Lokeren, 20 km east of Ghent.
At 200 kilometres and with 13 climbs in the hill zone, the course is challenging and arduous. Additionally, there are several flat stretches of cobbles. Despite annual changes, some of the regular climbs in the Omloop are the Leberg, Berendries, Taaienberg, Muur van Geraardsbergen, Eikenberg and Molenberg. Due to its hilly course in the Flemish Ardennes, the race is similar in nature to the Tour of Flanders, and is often used in preparation for the bigger event five weeks later. The 2016 race featured one new climb, Boembekeberg, as a replacement for the Molenberg, which was skipped because of road works. This was reversed for the 2017 race.
Both the official start and finish are traditionally on Ghent's largest square, Sint-Pietersplein. Every seven years however, when Easter comes early in the year, the square is booked for the annual Mid-Lent fair and organizers need to find different locations. In 2016 and 2017, the :nl:Citadelpark|Citadel city park, next to the Kuipke velodrome, served as start location. The finish was on the Emile Clauslaan thoroughfare, near the starting place.

Men's winners

The following riders have won the race:
: Nick Nuyens, Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd.
, winner Ian Stannard and Tom Boonen.
, Greg Van Avermaet and Tiesj Benoot.

Multiple winners

Riders in italics are active
WinsRiderEditions
31952, 1953, 1956
31974, 1975, 1980
31997, 1998, 2002
21945, 1951
21949, 1950
21970, 1972
21971, 1973
21977, 1978
21969, 1979
21982, 1983
21984, 1985
21990, 1992
21993, 1994
22000, 2003
2'2006, 2008
2'2014, 2015
22016, 2017

Wins per country

WinsCountry
57
4
2
1

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for Women elite

Since 2006 there is a women's version of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Held on the same day as the men's event, it uses much of the same roads and equally opens the women's cycling season in Northern Europe. In recent editions the route is 122 km, featuring eight climbs and six sections of cobbles. Dutch rider Suzanne de Goede and Sweden's Emma Johansson have won the race twice.
EditionWinnerSecondThird
2006 Suzanne de Goede Mirjam Melchers Tanja Hennes
2007 Mie Bekker Lacota Monica Holler Jaccolien Wallaard
2008 Kirsten Wild Angela Brodtka Emma Johansson
2009 Suzanne de Goede Noemi Cantele Kelly Druyts
2010 Emma Johansson Liesbet De Vocht Grace Verbeke
2011 Emma Johansson Andrea Bosman Chantal Blaak
2012 Loes Gunnewijk Ellen van Dijk Trixi Worrack
2013 Tiffany Cromwell Megan Guarnier Emma Johansson
2014 Amy Pieters Emma Johansson Lizzie Armitstead
2015 Anna van der Breggen Ellen van Dijk Lizzie Armitstead
2016 Lizzie Armitstead Chantal Blaak Tiffany Cromwell
2017 Lucinda Brand Chantal Blaak Annemiek van Vleuten
2018 Christina Siggaard Alexis Ryan Maria Giulia Confalonieri
2019 Chantal Blaak Marta Bastianelli Jip Van Den Bos
2020 Annemiek van Vleuten Marta Bastianelli Floortje Mackaij

Wins per country

WinsCountry
9
2
1

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad U23

An edition of the race for under-23 men has been held since 1950.