Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2017: Favourites

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad marks the opening of the Opening Weekend of the Belgian Classics. Title defender Van Avermaet faces competition of two-time winner Stannard and one-time victors Gilbert, Vanmarcke and Langeveld. World Champion Sagan is another favourite in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2017. (Slideshow route/profile)

For Tom Boonen, who retires after Paris-Roubaix, this is the last chance to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Never before did he turn out on top, which is remarkabe as the race features short climbs, cobbles and a flat finale – all perfect for Tommeke. Will his farewell race in the Omloop lead him to victory?

Last year Greg Van Avermaet started his ‘golden year’ with a victory in the first race on the cobbles. In the finale the homerider hitted out first and outperformed his fellow-escapees Peter Sagan, Tiesj Benoot, Luke Rowe, and Alexis Gougeard with an impressive uphill sprint.

Other active riders with an Omloop Het Nieuwsblad win on their palmares are Philippe Gilbert (2006, 2008), Sebastian Langeveld (2011), Sep Vanmarcke (2012), and Ian Stannard (2014, 2015). They are all on the start list of the 2017-edition.

Kristoff is also present. Last week, the Norwegian outclassed his competition with three stage victories in the Tour of Oman.

Favourites Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2017

*** Greg Van Avermaet, Peter Sagan, Alexander Kristoff
** Sep Vanmarcke, Lars Boom, Ian Stannard, Tom Boonen, Alexis Gougeard
* Sebastian Langeveld, Jasper Stuyven, Tiesj Benoot, Arnaud Démare, Philippe Gilbert