Van der Poel produces magic on Omloop debut and brings two powerhouses onto the podium

🇧🇪 #OHN26 We’ve got Jelte trying to get up the road in the early stages 💪 He’s solo at the moment, anyone fancy joining him? 👀

10:52 AM · Feb 28, 2026

Five leaders with Krijnsen, crashes in the peloton

Eventually, a quartet bridged up to him: Alexis Renard (Cofidis), Clément Alleno (Burgos Burpellet BH), Vincent Van Hemelen (Flanders–Baloise) and Alexys Brunel (TotalEnergies). Soon they were gifted a healthy advantage by the peloton. By now it was raining, and the wind was also playing its part — this was shaping up to be a hard day.

Before the first passage of the Eikenberg, after an hour and a half of racing, the first split occurred. The bunch was cut in two, but so early in the day it caused little damage. Everything regrouped, and teams such as NSN Cycling, Lidl–Trek and Pinarello–Q36.5 could settle into control. It was clearly not a pleasant day: riders were doing anything they could to stay warm.

And in grim conditions, crashes were inevitable. Particularly near the back of the peloton, riders hit the deck repeatedly. The biggest tumble came on a narrow lane around 80 kilometres from the finish, with names such as Mike Teunissen (Astana) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin) mentioned. Earlier, Florian Vermeersch (UAE) and Per Strand Hagenes (Visma) had already been on the ground.

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🚴🇧🇪 | Wat een prachtig beeld: het peloton koerst onder dreigende wolken! 🌧️🌧️ #cycling Wielrennen 👀 HBO Max

1:27 PM · Feb 28, 2026

Crashes grow towards the Omloop finale, Asgreen attacks

After UAE saw Rui Oliveira and Rune Herregodts also go down, the incidents gradually increased in scale. Heading into the final 60 kilometres — with Alpecin–Premier Tech now controlling on the front — more riders flew into the verge. This time it included Frank van den Broek (Picnic) and Mikkel Honoré (EF), with Honoré forced to abandon.

It became, literally and figuratively, an elimination race. First, Tom Pidcock was surprisingly dropped from the peloton as one of the favourites. Then Paul Magnier — another pre-race name — slid out in an inside corner behind a team-mate. The Frenchman needed a bike change and, unfortunately for him, it took far too long. Up front, the pace was now truly relentless, with UAE and Visma also taking turns at the head of the bunch.

Time for racing? Absolutely. Kasper Asgreen seized the chaos for EF and attacked on the Wolvenberg. With 53 kilometres to go he picked up the dropped Alleno, while four riders from the early break were still impressively holding on: Renard, Van Hemelen, Brunel and Krijnsen. Asgreen sat about a minute behind, but the peloton never really gave the Dane any breathing room.

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🚴🇧🇪 | Oeioeioei, een valpartij middenin het peloton. En een grote ook! 💥💥 #cycling Wielrennen 👀 HBO Max

1:53 PM · Feb 28, 2026

Magnier and Philipsen chase, Vermeersch forms group with Van der Poel

When Asgreen was reeled in with 50 kilometres remaining — thanks to UAE’s work — some behind would have hoped for a lull. Not a chance. Magnier had team-mates with him after his crash, and Jasper Philipsen (dropped?) latched onto the Soudal Quick-Step train. Approaching the Molenberg they were 50 seconds down. With seven climbs still to come, the race was never going to settle again.

Florian Vermeersch rewarded UAE’s pace-setting by attacking immediately at the foot of the Molenberg. And because Rick Pluimers (Tudor) slid out from second wheel, only Van der Poel could respond — opening a gap. From Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Tim van Dijke bridged across in brilliant fashion, creating an elite chase trio just behind the four survivors of the early move.

Van der Poel had exactly what he wanted. Together with Vermeersch and Van Dijke, he made the junction with the four leaders — and at blistering speed the group quickly put more than a minute into the peloton. Behind, Lotto–Intermarché, Visma and others tried to keep the pressure on, but the decisive moment already appeared to have come on the Molenberg. After the Berendries, the advantage was 1:10.

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🚴🇧🇪 | Hoe krijgt Van der Poel het voor elkaar om hier NIET te vallen?! 😱😱 #cycling Wielrennen 👀 HBO Max

2:17 PM · Feb 28, 2026

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Visma | Lease a Bike leads the chase of the Van der Poel group

With 25 kilometres left and the Parikeberg, Muur and Bosberg still to come, Visma | Lease a Bike refused to give up the chase. The gap came back to 56 seconds. But Van der Poel, Vermeersch and Van Dijke worked superbly together, knowing this was a golden opportunity. Krijnsen, Renard and Van Hemelen were still hanging on from the early break too — though they knew what their fate would be.

After a big crash in the chase group effectively signalled the beginning of the end — with riders such as De Lie and Brennan reportedly involved — Van der Poel unleashed himself on the Muur van Geraardsbergen. Van Dijke and Vermeersch gritted their teeth, but the Dutchman rode away seemingly with ease. Over the top there were still 16 kilometres to go, and the gap was already 20 seconds. This looked done.

In no time, Van der Poel had half a minute, and he consolidated it over the Bosberg. Van Dijke and Vermeersch still had to fear a peloton coming back with momentum, but Mick van Dijke did excellent blocking work for his brother, who then fought for silver and bronze with Vermeersch. Tim van Dijke took second, Vermeersch did not sprint and finished third. The early escapees were left with little more than the consolation of airtime.

🚴🇧🇪 | Van der Poel gaat alleen aan kop op de Muur van Geraardsbergen. Hij lijkt niet eens te demarreren en zit al alleen! 💪💪 #cycling Wielrennen 👀 HBO Max

2:57 PM · Feb 28, 2026