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2020 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

The Classics Are Here! Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Preview

The Classics Are Here! Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Preview

The 2020 classics season begins this Saturday March, 29th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Feb 26, 2020 by Michael Sheehan
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Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is the kickoff weekend for the spring classics, specifically the cobbled classics. At 200 kilometers long, Omloop is not as big a day in the saddle for the men as the Tour of Flanders, but Omloop asserts itself on the calendar in ways other than distance. 

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The Cobbled Classics Have Arrived

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is the kickoff weekend for the spring classics, specifically the cobbled classics. At 200 kilometers long, Omloop is not as big a day in the saddle for the men as the Tour of Flanders, but Omloop asserts itself on the calendar in ways other than distance. 

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The Tour of Flanders changed its route some years ago, removing the Muur van Geraardsbergen from its finale to the outrage of many fans. Purists who want to see the peloton shatter over the iconic Muur now turn to Omloop where the Muur features as the route’s penultimate climb, topping out 17 kilometers before the finish in Ninove.   


With nine cobbled sectors, 13 cobbled climbs and the finale on the Muur, Omloop is a consistently unpredictable and explosive start to the classics season. In 2019, a lead group of five rode clear to the finish, which saw Zdenek Stybar launch a perfectly timed attack to in the closing kilometers to solo in for the victory.

Deceuninck Quick Step vs. Everyone Else

Deceuninck Quick-Step is historically the dominant team in the spring classics, but they will face no shortage of challengers in 2020. 

Philippe Gilbert has defected to rival Belgian team Lotto-Soudal, and combined forces Tim Wellens.

At CCC, Greg Van Avermaet has been joined by Worlds silver medalist Matteo Trentin and Patrick Bevin, who brings a big motor but doesn't have much experience on the cobbles.

Wout van Aert appears fully recovered from his horrific crash at the Tour de France, and prepared to lead a strong run in the classics following a fourth place finish at the cyclocross world championships.

The classics are always an exciting period for cycling fans, and the 2020 season is shaping up to be as dynamic as any. 


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