Cycling: At the weekend, the Omloop Het Niewusblad on Saturday and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on Sunday will be the start of what will hopefully be an exciting classic season. Especially the Omloop Het Niewusblad is an important indicator early in the season. We have summarized the most important information.
What's new? - The distance
Nothing new on the route apart from a few minor changes. The start of the Belgian spring classics will traditionally be the first hard touchstone for all classic drivers. After the start in Ghent, the route heads south, where, in addition to some demanding paved sections, a total of 13 slipways await the field of riders. New this year are the Tenbosse and the Eikenmolen in the first third of a total of 198km. Also included are the notorious Muur Van Geraardsbergen and of course the Valkenberg. Difficult terrain with probably also difficult conditions this year. Damp weather, strong winds and temperatures in the single digits are the order of the day.
Who is going with you? – Start list
For the first time in its history, the 2017 race is part of the UCI's top class of racing. But as a WorldTour newcomer, the regulation that was also introduced this year that not all 18 first division teams are obliged to start applies here. In view of the high reputation and the important position determination for the form of all classic riders, it is hardly surprising that almost all WorldTour racing teams will start in Ghent. Only Dimension Data, UAE and Bahrain-Merida decided against it.
Who wins? – The favourites
There is hardly a race whose course and outcome is more difficult to predict than the Omloop Het Niewusblad. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that almost everything that has a reputation in terms of classics will be at the start, but above all it is due to the scheduling. Many drivers come directly from the training camp - for example road world champion Peter Sagan - and only have very few kilometers, if any, in their legs. In addition, there is the adverse weather in Belgium, which will certainly affect you again.
Nevertheless, in 2017 the usual suspects are again among the favorites: On the one hand there is the Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet (BMC), who has recovered from his broken ankle, of course Peter Sagan, newcomer to Bora-Hansgrohe, old master Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) and Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac). Among others, John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) decided against a start, as he only wants to start his classic season with Milan-Sanremo.
Where are there pictures? – TV and live streams
With live pictures on free TV, things are looking bad at Omloop Het Niewusblad this year. Although Eurosport 2 is broadcasting the final phase of the race live between 14:45 p.m. and 16:45 p.m., it can only be received via Pay TV in most regions of Germany.
As an alternative, the Eurosportplayer, which broadcasts the race in full length and also without advertising. For cycling fans, the monthly fee for the Eurosport streaming service is definitely worth considering.
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