Thirteen hills, that’s the same as in last year’s edition. With the exception of the last climb, de Molenberg, all climbs are the same. Molenberg is back in the route at the expense of Boembekeberg.
After 54 kilometres the Leberg is the first in a series of four climbs, featuring Berendries, Tenbosse and Eikenmolen. A flat section leads to the infamous Muur van Geraardsbergen. To the joy of all Flemish cycling fans the 1.1 kilometres cobbled climb at 8.7% will be part of the upcoming Tour of Flanders after been banned for a few years. The steepest section of the Muur is 20%. In the 2017 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad the climb is crested with 80 kilometres done.
Via the Valkenberg and Kaperij the riders travel to the most hilly part of the race. The Kruisberg appears after almost 130 kilometres and then the route takes in the last six climbs. Within 34 kilometres the riders are to crest the Taaienberg (15.8% max), Eikenberg (10% max), Wolvenberg (17.3% max), Leberg (13.8% max) and Molenberg (14.2% max). Most of these hills are cobbled, moreover, in between are paved stretches ready to shake up both the riders and the race.
The arrival in Ghent is a long false flat, where Greg Van Avermaet outpowered Peter Sagan in 2016 with an impressive sprint.
Results/race report 2017 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2017: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Route and profile Muur van Geraardsbergen
Instagram #muurvangeraards…
Streetview Muur van Geraardsbergen
Muur van Geraardsbergen at strava.com
Route and profile Taaienberg
Instagram #taaienberg
Streetview Taaienberg
Taaienberg at strava.com