Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2024: When is it? Who’s riding? What’s the route? How to watch on discovery+

If there’s a race that marks a new cycling season kicking into gear it’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

The first cobbled Classic paves the way for a run of races throughout the spring as the action starts to come thick and fast.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was won last year by Dylan van Baarle (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx).

Both will be back this month to defend their titles and will be joined by a number of big names on the start line.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad will take place on Saturday, February 24.

Coverage of the men’s race starts at 12:45 UK time, with the women’s race available to watch from 15:00.

Greg Van Avermaet was the last rider to win back-to-back titles at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2016 and 2017. Will Van Baarle or Kopecky repeat?

Van Baarle could face strong competition from inside his own team with Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte, who came third last year, eyeing victory.

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), last year’s runner-up Arnaud De Lie (Lotto–Dstny), Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarche–Wanty) might also be in the mix.

SD Worx also have several options for victory in the women’s race.

Along with Kopecky, Demi Vollering will be competing for the first time this season after a superb 2023, while Lorena Wiebes came second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last year.

Trek-Segafredo duo Elisa Longo Borghini and Lizzie Deignan, and Visma-Lease a Bike’s Marianne Vos, are among the other contenders.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is held in Belgium, with the men’s and women’s races both starting in Gent and finishing in Ninove.

The routes are similar to last year, with the men competing over a 202km course and the women over 127.1km.

There are 12 climbs and nine cobbled sections on the men’s race, and eight climbs and five cobbled areas on the women’s race.

Both races finish with climbs up Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg before a 12km flat ride to the finish.