The long winter is over. The road to Flanders and Roubaix begins. Belgium’s Opening Weekend marks the first true cobbled battle of the season, and it all starts with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

The legendary climbs—the Muur van Geraardsbergen, the Bosberg, the punishing Flemish roads—set the stage for what’s to come. And this year, all eyes are on Wout van Aert.

Wout Van Aert’s Race to Win?

With Mathieu van der Poel skipping Omloop, Van Aert is the clear favorite. He’s the biggest name on the start list. The one everyone’s watching.

He’s won Omloop before, but he’s still chasing his biggest dream: Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix victories. This is his first real test of 2025.

Van Aert showed solid early form at Volta ao Algarve, though he admitted he wasn’t at his best yet. “I wasn’t strong enough,” he said after missing out on a win. But in the final time trial, he finished second—a sign that his engine is revving up.

Now, it’s time for cobbles.

Watch Out for Matteo Jorgenson

Van Aert isn’t alone. He’s backed by the strongest Classics squad in the world—Visma-Lease a Bike—and within that squad, one name stands out: Matteo Jorgenson.

The American was a breakout star in the 2023 Classics, finishing fourth at E3 Saxo Classic, ninth at Flanders, and 11th at Roubaix. Then, in 2024, he won Dwars door Vlaanderen, proving he can win big on the cobbles.

Now, in his first season with Visma, the question is: Is he here to help Van Aert win, or will he have his own shot? Either way, he’s one to watch.

The Other Contenders

Omloop isn’t just a warm-up. It’s a statement race. Win here, and the entire peloton takes notice.

Here are the biggest threats to Van Aert and Jorgenson:

• Tom Pidcock – A red-hot start to 2025, but can he translate that form to the cobbles?
• Jasper Philipsen – The world’s best sprinter, but can he handle the climbs?
• Biniam Girmay – Always lurking, always dangerous.
• Jan Tratnik – The defending champion. Underestimate him at your own risk.

Demi Vollering Takes Center Stage

On the women’s side, Demi Vollering enters as the favorite. She just dominated her first stage race of the year in Spain, and now she’s making her big debut for FDJ-Suez.

With Lotte Kopecky skipping Omloop, Vollering has a chance to take her first major cobbled victory of 2025. But if the race stays together, Lorena Wiebes could win in a sprint.

The Season Starts Now

This is it. The first real battle of the cobbled season. The Muur. The Bosberg. The chaos.

Will Van Aert deliver? Will Jorgenson shine? Will Vollering take her first big Classics win? We’re about to find out. The road to De Ronde starts here. Buckle up.