Climbing commences on the Leberg after approximately 40 kilometres and almost 70 kilometres later the second hill takes the shape of the Kattenberg. This is where the action really starts. The first half of the race is nothing special, but after the Kattenberg it’s full on action with every 10 kilometres or so another hill. Leberg again, Hostellerie, Valkenberg and Wolvenberg follow in quick succession, while a number of cobbled sectors add another element of excitement to the Flemish spectacle.
After two cobbled sectors in the village of Mater the finale is well underway and four ‘hellingen’ appear at even shorter intervals. Within 14 kilometres the riders tackle the Molenberg, Leberg, Berendries and Elverenberg-Vossenhol, plus the cobbles of the Haaghoek are also thrown in.
Still roughly 27 kilometres to go when the Omloop heads for the one-two punch of the Wall of Geraardsbergen and Bosberg. The steep and cobbled Wall is just 475 metres long, but averages 9.3% and ramps up to almost 20%. No time for a breather at the top, as the Bosberg appears almost 4 kilometres later. The partly cobbled climb is 980 metres long and averages 5.8%.
After that final test comes a 12 kilometres long flat run-in to the finish line in Ninove.
Last year, Wout van Aert attacked just before the Bosberg from a lead group of some twenty men. He reached the summit 8 seconds before the chasers to extend his lead on the flat run-in to the line. It was his first road race victory of 2023.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2023.
Another interesting read: results 2023 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2023: routes, profiles, more
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Muur van Geraardsbergen interactive
streetview Muur van Geraardsbergen
Muur van Geraardsbergen at Strava 
