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Dutch cycling star Mathieu van der Poel opened the European road season with a dominant performance, claiming a solo victory at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Alpecin rider transitioned seamlessly from a flawless winter cyclo-cross campaign—where he secured a record eighth world title—to the demanding cobbled classics of the spring.
He finished the 207-kilometre course in 4 hours, 53 minutes, and 55 seconds, crossing the line more than 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitors.
The race, which serves as the traditional season opener in cycling’s northwestern European heartland, took the peloton over 12 hills and eight treacherous cobbled sections.
Van der Poel made his decisive move on the iconic Muur of Geraardsbergen, one of the most famous climbs in the sport.
Attacking from a thinned-out main pack, he quickly closed a one-minute gap to the early breakaway before dropping them entirely with 16 kilometres remaining in the race.
Once clear of the field, the former road world champion maintained a steady, high-power pace that his rivals could not match.
While Van der Poel celebrated his solo win at the finish, a frantic battle for the remaining podium spots unfolded behind him.
Fellow Dutchman Tim van Dijke eventually won the sprint for second place, narrowly edging out Belgian rider Florian Vermeersch.
This victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad underscores Van der Poel’s status as the heavy favourite for the upcoming spring classics.
Having entered the road season unbeaten all winter in cyclo-cross, his ability to bridge gaps and sustain a long-range solo effort suggests he is in peak form.
Fans and competitors alike are now looking toward the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix to see if his dominance will continue throughout the spring.
