Davide Ballerini slams new Omloop Het Nieuwsblad finish -"It's a sh*t finish"

The destination of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad has been altered, with the race now transitioning from the twisting Educationlaan to the inclined Elisabethlaan. The change sparked a mixture of reactions from various teams and riders.

Organizer Flanders Classics now places the white line on Elisabethlaan, a finish that is "wider" and runs "slightly uphill". Soudal-Quick Step surveyed the new finish and inspected the course as did all teams in the days leading up to the opening weekend.

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Davide Ballerini dreams with Paris-Roubaix chance: "It's my dream and it always will be"

Davide Ballerini is among the group of riders who are unhappy with the modification. "Why did they change this? It's a shit finish,” he told Sporza. The difference in elevation in the final kilometre is something he is not a fan of and is critical of.

The asphalt quality has been a topic of discussion, as the buses have worn down a groove over time, which has been filled with asphalt. As a result, the right lane section - from the riders' perspective - seems to be the safest choice in the event of a sprint.

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