"I don't think the race will be any different" - Mathieu van der Poel's presence doesn't change Omloop het Nieuwsblad dynamics, according to Tom Boonen

The spring classics campaign begins this Saturday already with the Omloop het Nieuwblad. The first of the European World Tour one-day races is highly anticipated due to its luxurious startlist, headlined by the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.

Due to the lack of difficulty in the last few years' course, the organizers have added two small climbs right before the Muur de Geraardsbergen in an attempt to make the race more tactical. On of them is the Parkeberg, 800 meters long at 5%, which is tackled with 23 kilometers to go.

"That's a tough section. But that won't make the difference. It's mainly the wind and how they use it that will be decisive," Tom Boonen said in the Wielerclub Wattage podcast.

The former pro is one of the most experienced men in the peloton when it comes to the roads of Flanders and knows them like the back of their hand. Although he hasn't won this specific classic in his career, he has raced in these roads plenty times and will know what difference they can make.

However what he believes won't make the difference on how the race is tackled is Mathieu van der Poel's addition to the startlist. "Of course, Van der Poel is the decisive rider, and all the other riders will be watching. But I don't think the race will be any different".

With the presence of most of the world's best on the cobbled classics; as well as sprinters such as Paul Magnier, Arnaud de Lie and Tobias Lund Andresen who may be impossible to drop on such short uphill efforts and the lack of the endurance factor; there may be plenty teams looking to bring everything back to a sprint in Ninove. This is how the race was decided last year, and Boonen doesn't believe that scenario is off the table.

"A half-peloton sprint like last year is also possible on Saturday. That has nothing to do with which riders are at the start, but with the weather conditions," he argues. "It will all depend on which wind direction the riders will be in. If it's right, the race can be dynamited."