This is where the season begins
No matter how important TDU or AToC has become, and how much focus those countries riders put on what is in effect their National Tour, for me (not personally) the season begins on Saturday. You can from a business perspective understand why the name change has happened, although it will take me a long time to adjust to it.
Omloop Het Volk (to quote the old full name) was created as a rival to the longer Ronde van Vlaanderen and it does trace similar routes in West Flanders. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (to quote the full new name) is the race that opens up the cobbled classics season. Looking through the results it is dominated by Belgian names with only Ireland, (Seamus Elliot) Holland, (Teun van Vilet) Germany (Andres Kapers) and Italy (Franco Ballerini, Michele Bartoli and Filippo Pozzato) breaking up that long list.
With the Ronde being nearly 60 km longer (sometimes more!) and having more bergs to tackle, it is the tougher of the two events. That does not mean that Het (I am going to omit the rest) is a walk in the park, the February weather is as big an influence as the Murr is to the Ronde. Like Lions in breeding season, all the major classic specialists will be there strutting their stuff. The Belgian warriors hoping to earn that most precious of titles 'The Lion of Flanders', one not freely given to just any classics rider.
Just because it is deemed a 'semi classic' these days and is the youngest of the three big Belgian races (the other two being The Ronde and Ghent - Wevelgem), it does not mean that to add this to the list of palmares goes without respect amongst your peers. Ironically it is an Italian, Mario Cipollini, who holds the record for the most wins in Ghent - Wevelgem, and not a Belgian rider.
Taking the win in Het Volk is no sure fire guarantee that you will go on to win the Ronde, but a handful of riders have managed to do it. No cyclist has yet to win all three in a season, which shows how hard it is to be consistent over such a long period.
Because of the time of year in which the race is held it can fall pray to the elements, with 2004 being cancelled due to snow. The riders seem to forgo the use of 'belgian knee warmers' and full length leg warmers (along with Roubaix bib-shorts) are a common site. If the weather is a little milder knee warmers are swapped out for the leg warmers. Long sleeve jerseys and a large dose of DeFeet Dura Gloves are used in this ride.
So what do I expect to happen this Saturday. Well Silence-Lotto have the defending champion in their ranks as Gilbert goes for three wins. To rule out one of the Quickstep riders would also be foolish, as with Silence-Lotto they have strength in numbers.
The team which may surprise a few on the day could be the Cervelo Test Team. Looking at the start list the names (171) Roger Hammond (GBr), (174) Thor Hushovd (Nor) and (175) Andreas Klier (Ger) all jump out and scream potential winner. Hammond and Hushovd have both been riding incredibly well and look fitter than I have seen them at this time of the year. Reading interviews with both riders signals that they are happy and excited with their new set up. This can only bode well for both riders as they have a love for the cobbles.
