Van Aert (also racing Le Samyn) set to start Omloop alongside Brennan and Laporte

Van Aert suffered an unfortunate crash in the snowy cyclo-cross race in Mol, where he broke his ankle. It naturally raised concerns ahead of Opening Weekend, but it soon became clear the Belgian was likely to make it back in time. Laporte returned to racing in the Ruta del Sol and immediately won stage 1, but then went down heavily in the final stage and was forced to abandon.

The three headline riders will be supported at Omloop by Axel Zingle, Edoardo Affini, Per Strand Hagenes and Timo Kielich, who is set to make his first appearance for the team. From that strong seven, Van Aert, Strand Hagenes and Affini will not race a day later at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne. They are replaced there by Matisse Van Kerckhove, Filippo Fiorelli and Pietro Mattio.

Just two days later, Le Samyn is already on the programme. Earlier, coach Grischa Niermann had indicated Van Aert could potentially add the race — and now it’s confirmed: the Belgian will start Le Samyn. Visma | Lease a Bike are sending another strong squad, with Laporte, Van Kerckhove, Mattio and Strand Hagenes also included, while Loe van Belle and Aldo Tailleu will make their appearance as well.