The Opening Weekend is upon us, and with it comes Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the first major cobbled classic of the year. Taking place on Saturday, 1st March 2025, the race sets the stage for the upcoming editions of the Tour of Flanders Mannen/Vrouwen and Paris-Roubaix Hommes/Femmes, with both the men’s (197km) and women’s (137.9km) races here finishing in Ninove.
The men’s race has been a staple of the early-season calendar since 1945, originally known as Omloop van Vlaanderen before being renamed in 1947. Over the decades, it has built a reputation as an unpredictable battle, often shaped by early-season form, cold weather, and aggressive racing. The last five editions have produced a mix of surprise winners and expected favourites, with Jan Tratnik, Dylan van Baarle, Wout van Aert, Davide Ballerini, and Jasper Stuyven taking victory since 2020. The return of Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg to the finale in 2018 has restored a sense of classic Flandrien prestige to the race, and in recent years, it has become an early-season benchmark for the world’s best cobbles specialists.
The women’s race was first held in 2006, and while it initially struggled for parity with the men’s edition, its prestige has grown significantly. The Muur-Bosberg finale, introduced in 2018, made the race far more selective, and in 2023, Lotte Kopecky dominated the race before Marianne Vos used her tactical intelligence to win in 2024. The 2025 edition marks the 20th anniversary of the women’s race, a milestone that Flanders Classics is celebrating with pre-race festivities at ‘t Kuipke Velodrome in Ghent.
Unlike the sprawling monuments later in the spring, Omloop het Nieuwsblad is a punchy, attritional race where positioning is crucial, and a poorly timed mistake can ruin any hope of victory. It’s position at the start of the spring season means that top favourites aren’t in their full form yet and the weather conditions can affect the legs and minds of riders in different ways. The Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg late combination of climbs should once again decide the winners, and history suggests that only the strongest, sharpest riders will emerge victorious.
Key race details
- Date: Saturday, 1st March 2025
- Start: ‘t Kuipke Velodrome, Ghent
- Finish: Ninove, Belgium
- Distance: Men: 197km – Women: 137.9km
- UCI category: WorldTour
- Edition: Men: 79th – Women: 20th
- 2024 winners: Jan Tratnik and Marianne Vos
- Live On: Eurosport/discovery+
Photo Credit: Challenge GeraardsbergenThe route: A battle over Flanders’ legendary roads
Both races start inside ‘t Kuipke Velodrome in Ghent before heading out into the Flemish Ardennes. The men’s race covers 11 climbs and 14 cobbled sectors, while the women’s edition features 10 climbs and 15 cobbled sectors, culminating in the Muur-Bosberg combination before the final sprint to Ninove. Many of the climbs and cobbled sections are the same this year, with the distances involved in the men’s and women’s versions of Omloop het Nieuwsblad the key difference.
Men’s race – 197km
The Molenberg, 42km from the finish, kicks off the finale, leading into the decisive Haaghoek-Leberg combination. The final stretch includes the Berendries and Elverenberg-Vossenhol, before the legendary Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg.
- Molenberg (154.5km) – A frequent selection point where the strongest riders start to emerge.
- Haaghoek-Leberg (49.5km, 117.9km & 159km) – A brutal cobbled sector followed by a climb that often forces splits in the peloton.
- Berendries (166km) – A steep, decisive climb where late-race attacks can be launched.
- Elverenberg – Vossenhol (168.5km) – A sharp ascent that adds further difficulty before the finale.
- Muur-Kapelmuur (181.3km) – The legendary cobbled climb that has defined countless races, often where the final selection is made.
- Bosberg (185.2km) – The last climb of the day, where attacks must stick before the flat run-in to Ninove.
Women’s race – 137.9km
- Molenberg (95.4km) – A frequent selection point where the strongest riders start to emerge.
- Haaghoek-Leberg (99.9km) – A brutal cobbled sector followed by a climb that often forces splits in the peloton.
- Berendries (106.9km) – A steep, decisive climb where late-race attacks can be launched.
- Elverenberg – Vossenhol (109.4km) – A sharp ascent that adds further difficulty before the finale.
- Muur-Kapelmuur (122.2km) – The legendary cobbled climb that has defined countless races, often where the final selection is made.
- Bosberg (126.1km) – The last climb of the day, where attacks must stick before the flat run-in to Ninove.
While shorter, the women’s race shares much of the same intensity, tackling the Paddestraat, Haaghoek, Leberg, Molenberg, Berendries, and culminating in the Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg.
The final 20km mirrors the men’s race, meaning the decisive moment could come on Muur-Kapelmuur, Bosberg, or even a late attack in the final run to Ninove with the right wind conditions.
Contenders: Who will take the first cobbled classic?
Men’s race
Wout van Aert returns looking for his second Omloop het Nieuwsblad title, backed by a strong Visma | Lease a Bike team featuring Matteo Jorgenson, Tiesj Benoot, and Victor Campenaerts. However, he faces fierce competition from his former teammate and the defending champion Jan Tratnik, who leads the charge for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in 2025 alongside Oier Lazkano and Jordi Meeus.
Belgian champion Arnaud De Lie is one of the big home favourites, while Tom Pidcock adds firepower for his new team Q36.5. Dylan Teuns will spearhead Cofidis’ ambitions, while Soudal Quick-Step fields a team including Yves Lampaert. Biniam Girmay is also one to watch as Intermarché – Wanty aims for an early-season statement.
Photo Credit: GettyWomen’s race
With Marianne Vos absent, the race is wide open. Demi Vollering returns with FDJ-Suez, hoping to improve on her 2022 second-place finish, while Lorena Wiebes leads a fast-finishing SD Worx-Protime squad.
Canyon SRAM fields a strong team with Kasia Niewiadoma and Chiara Consonni, while Movistar sends Marlen Reusser and Liane Lippert. Fenix-Deceuninck’s Puck Pieterse, UAE Team ADQ’s Silvia Persico, and Team Picnic PostNL’s Pfeiffer Georgi are all expected to challenge.
Expect the race to ignite on the Muur-Kapelmuur, where climbers like Vollering and Niewiadoma will try to drop the pure sprinters before the finish. At the moment the wind is forecast to be a tailwind with a slight cross towards the finish, so any gap after the two climbs will be tough to close down.
Celebrating 20 years of women’s racing
Before the racing starts, Flanders Classics will host a special celebration for the 20th edition of the women’s Omloop het Nieuwsblad. The team presentations in ‘t Kuipke will be followed by a fan event, with entertainment and free drinks from sponsor Maes.
The 2025 Opening Weekend promises to be one of the most competitive in years, with top riders from both the men’s and women’s pelotons battling for the first cobbled crown of the season. With the Muur-Bosberg deciding the race once again, only the strongest will triumph in Ninove.
Main photo credit: Flanders Classics
