Van Aert Misses Omloop Classic
Wout van Aert has been ruled out of the upcoming Omloop Nieuwsblad due to illness. The star rider is confident he will return to racing soon, but his absence from this classic opener shifts attention to other contenders.
Van Aert's withdrawal is the latest in a string of misfortunes for the Belgian star, who also fractured his ankle in a cyclo-cross race in January. His recovery had appeared on track after a training camp in Sierra Nevada, making this illness a significant blow to the start of his classics campaign. The Omloop Nieuwsblad traditionally marks the beginning of the prestigious Spring Classics and the Belgian cycling season. Held in late February, the race is known for its challenging cobbled sections and often cold weather, setting the stage for the bigger one-day races to come. The 2026 route covers 207.6 kilometers, starting in Ghent and finishing in Ninove. The finale is tougher this year, with the addition of the Tenbosse and Parikeberg climbs before the iconic duo of the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg, the latter coming just 11.8km from the finish. With the 2022 winner absent, his team, Visma-Lease a Bike, will now likely rally around European Champion Christophe Laporte. The team has a formidable record, having won the last three editions of the race with Van Aert (2022), Dylan van Baarle (2023), and Jan Tratnik (2024).
