OFFICIAL: Mathieu van der Poel to open 2026 road season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as Alpecin confirm full Spring Classics programme
CyclingWednesday, 25 February 2026 at 10:29
The question mark has been removed. After weeks of uncertainty, Alpecin-Premier Tech have officially confirmed that Mathieu van der Poel will begin his 2026 road season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, following the completion of his first training block since the Cyclocross World Championships.
As previously indicated, Van der Poel waited until finishing a solid stretch of preparation before committing.
After several strong weeks on the bike, the Dutchman now feels race-ready and will line up at the Flemish Opening Classic.
The decision brings clarity to what had become one of the early storylines of the spring.
A programme built for the Monuments
Van der Poel’s spring schedule will closely mirror last season’s structure.
Following Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, he will ride Tirreno-Adriatico as preparation for Milano-Sanremo, the first Monument of the year. From there, the focus shifts squarely to the cobbled block: E3 Saxo Classic, In Flanders Fields Middelkerke-Wevelgem, Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix.
It is a familiar blueprint, but one that has repeatedly delivered results.
Tirreno provides controlled race intensity before Sanremo’s explosive finale. E3 and the Flemish races sharpen positioning and endurance. Then come the two defining cobbled Monuments where Van der Poel has built much of his modern legacy.
Omloop sets the tone
What makes this confirmation significant is not simply the programme, but the timing.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is not always Van der Poel’s preferred road opener. His springs are typically built around carefully timed peaks, with condition rising steadily toward Sanremo and the cobbled Monuments. Choosing to start at Opening Weekend signals confidence in how his winter block has progressed.
It also injects immediate intrigue into the Classics season.
The rivalry between Van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar has defined recent editions of Milano-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. While Omloop itself may not feature that head-to-head dynamic, the Belgian opener now becomes the first reference point for Van der Poel’s road form heading into another Monument campaign.
After publicly stating that the final call would be made during race week, the Dutchman has now delivered that decision.
The Classics are calling. And Van der Poel has answered.
Mathieu van der Poel's Spring Calendar
| Date | Race |
| 28.02 | Omloop Het Nieuwsblad |
| 09.03–15.03 | Tirreno-Adriatico |
| 21.03 | Milano-Sanremo |
| 27.03 | E3 Saxo Classic |
| 29.03 | In Flanders Fields (Middelkerke-Wevelgem) |
| 05.04 | Ronde van Vlaanderen |
| 12.04 | Paris-Roubaix |
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