2016 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Preview

THE ROUTE

The first of the Flandrian Classics, the Omloop is in the middle ground in terms of their relative difficulties, with a difficult, cobbled, hilly parcours that does however lack the sheer distance of the other races, as the riders return to Gent 200km after they leave in the morning.

Riders will need to be well positioned by the Kruisberg, 70km from the finish, as the 450m cobbled section at 7.5% will signal the beginning of the finale.

Boonen’s favourite climb, the Taaienberg comes next, cobbled and with a maximum gradient of 18%, positioning is key as the smooth gutter is only available to a select few.

From then on expect hell. The Molenberg is the final true difficulty, as the subsequent cobbled sections shouldn’t overwhelm those who are still within range of victory. Like so many of the Belgian classics a flat run in will create a tactical battle, and the slightly inclined finishing straight could produce a surprise winner from a small sprint.

THE FAVOURITES

The biggest news is the non-participation of recent repeat winner and EQS vanquishing Ian Stannard (Sky). Understandably he is not looking to repeat the last two years where wins in Gent preceded largely unsuccessful, on a personal level, cobbled classics campaigns. Cancellara (Trek) is absent as usual, would be favourite Degenkolb (Giant) remains injured and the absence of Vanmarcke (LottoNL) remains unexplained.

Instead look to two usual suspects, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Tom Boonen (EQS). Boonen has never won this race and will surely be looking to complete his impressive Belgian palmares with a win here as his chances diminish with each year that goes by.

On the rung below sit many others. Van Avermaet (BMC), Rowe (Sky) and Terpstra (EQS) could win solo, the latter depending on Boonen faltering, or an attack forcing others to chase that sticks.

Sagan (Tinkoff), Arnaud Démare (FDJ), Jens Keukeleire (OGE) and Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) could all win from small and medium group sprints, especially considering the lottery of early season form. The first three, however, may suffer from patchy team support, Keukeleire especially.

***** -

**** -

*** Kristoff, Boonen

** Van Avermaet, Sagan, Démare, Rowe, Terpstra

* Keukeleire, Debusschere, Other

KEY POINTS

Quickstep will really not want to screw up like they did last time. Once is a mistake, but twice is embarrassing.

This is the first time we’ll see the introduction of radios into one of the more tactical .1/.HC races. Will it have any effect?

The weather will be very cold, but it should remain dry, making for an easier race than last year.

LottoNL-Jumbo are at the event, so it really is mystifying why they are not taking part.

ONWARD

The importance of this race for the rest of the spring classics can not be overstated. A good performance here may cause a rider to be marked out of contention at a later date, or to gain leadership within the team. Which one is the case may not be known until Strade Bianche, Paris-Nice or later. We know this will be important, but the how should keep us all guessing until late March.

I’m just happy to see the cobbles back again!