The Flemish cycling spring kicked off with the 81st edition of Omloop Nieuwsblad. The peloton set off from Ghent for 207 kilometers, featuring a total of fifteen cobbled sectors and climbs along the way. The weather conditions were also far from favorable: strong winds and rain made for a demanding race.  

In the opening phase, five riders formed an early breakaway. The peloton kept the quintet under control and prepared for the hill zone. As the decisive climbs approached, tension in the bunch increased. The peloton was shaken several times by crashes. The riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike stayed alert at the front and avoided trouble. With 45 kilometers to go, the race ignited on the Molenberg.  

On the steep cobbled climb, Florian Vermeersch and van der Poel raised the pace. At a crucial moment, van der Poel narrowly avoided a fallen rider, but a large part of the peloton was held up. Laporte was also forced to unclip. Van der Poel, Vermeersch, and Tim van Dijke quickly bridged to the front. In the chase behind the leaders, Team Visma | Lease a Bike took control in the peloton. Approaching the climb of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, things went wrong again. Among others, Brennan was involved in a heavy crash. The young Brit had to leave the race.  

Van der Poel eventually dropped his fellow escapees on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and soloed to victory. In the second chasing group, Laporte proved the strongest. The Frenchman, who earlier this month already won a stage in the Ruta del Sol, rode unchallenged to fourth place.  

“It was predicted beforehand that it would be a tough race, but I didn’t expect these conditions,” Laporte reacted afterwards. “The rain and wind made it extremely hard. Still, as a team we were always well positioned. The Molenberg was a crucial climb. I was in an excellent position and felt strong, but unfortunately I was held up by a fallen rider. I felt I could have fought for the podium today. In the chasing group we worked well together and still came close. In the end, fourth place was the best possible result in these conditions.”  

“I’m pleased that I was still able to deliver a strong result for the team today,” Laporte added. “After an unlucky season last year, it’s nice to show myself again in races like this. I missed the atmosphere along these Flemish roads. I’m looking forward to the next races on my schedule, starting with Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on Sunday.”  

“We came to the start aiming to compete for the win, but in hindsight Christophe’s fourth place is a solid result,” said sports director Maarten Wynants. “The race was calm for a long time, but toward the finale the crashes followed one another in quick succession. Our riders were exactly where they needed to be on the Molenberg, so it’s very unfortunate that Christophe was held up right there. Matthew also crashed heavily. He was able to make it to the team car under his own power. For now, that’s the most important thing.”