Robbie McEwen predicts Wout van Aert - Tom Pidcock battle will decide Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025: "But still, I’m going to pick Wout as the favourite"

Opening Weekend is finally here and later this Saturday, Classics season is kicked off with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025, headlined this year, by a battle between two long-time rivals, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock. According to TNT Sports pundit Robbie McEwen it's likely to be the winner of this battle that wins the race.

When asked by TNT Sports for his predictions for the race, the 52-year-old Australian does not sit on the fence either. "For the Omloop, I’m going to go with Wout van Aert," McEwen said. "I think he’s not quite at his absolute best yet, but considering the racing he’s just done in Algarve and a week of recovery and assimilation after that, I think he’ll already be in good enough form to be successful at the Omloop."

"That being said, there are a few other riders who could also be strong contenders," continues the 24-time Grand Tour stage winner, highlighting the aforementioned Pidcock in particular as Van Aert's main threat. "I’m curious to see how Tom Pidcock performs, as he’s been in great form since the start of the season. Wherever Wout goes, Pidcock seems to follow, and we’ve seen before, like when Pidcock won at Ardennes a few years ago, he beat Wout there. It’ll be exciting to see those two come into the finish together."

In truth, the pair have had somewhat contrasting starts to their road seasons in 2025. Since joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Pidcock has been reborn. The Brit took a first GC win of his career in the AlUla Tour along with two stages, before then also bagging a stage win at the Vuelta a Andalucia en route to a 3rd overall finish. Van Aert meanwhile, has flattered to deceive somewhat in his appearances, although given his immense talent, that doesn't raise too much concern heading towards the big races.

"But still, I’m going to pick Wout as the favourite," McEwen concludes. "There’s going to be so much attention on him, though, and that can make things tricky. I mean, last year we saw Jan Tratnik win, mostly because all the eyes were on the big favourites, and someone slipped away. That’s what I love about the Omloop — it can throw up surprise winners. It’s the first cobbled Classic of the season. Everyone knows who the favourites are, but that often works against them, and rivals know that too. But still, I’m sticking with Wout."