Davide Ballerini slams new Omloop Het Nieuwsblad finish -"It's a sh*t finish"
CyclingSaturday, 25 February 2023 at 00:00
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.
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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