"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
Cycling
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.
Mathieu van der Poel doesn't change the race
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."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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