Wout van Aert vs Tom Pidcock Prediction on February 28, 2026

Match info

The 2026 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is a highly prestigious men’s one-day road cycling race and is traditionally regarded as the first major European classic of the season. It marks the start of the cobbled Spring Classics in Northwestern Europe and serves as a key benchmark for form among classics specialists and cobblestone riders. In 2026, this edition stands as the 81st running of the event and is part of the UCI World Tour, cycling’s top-tier series of races where the world’s best teams and riders compete for global ranking points and early-season prestige. Its position in late February makes it a litmus test for riders targeting other major cobbled classics later in the spring.

In the context of Belgian bookmakers, this race offers a wide range of betting markets — from outright winner odds to featured markets like breakaway success, cobbles specialists, and intermediate break time gaps — reflecting the unpredictable, tactical nature of the Belgian classics.

When:

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Start time: Approximately 11:15
Time zone: CET (Central European Time) — the standard time zone for Belgium and the host region in late winter.

Where:

Start: Ghent (Gent), Belgium
Finish: Ninove, Belgium

The 207 km route winds through the heart of the Flemish Ardennes, featuring cobbled sectors and short, sharp climbs that define the Belgian classics — making it both physically demanding and tactically complex.

Meeting statistics

Current form and & race style: Wout van Aert

The Belgian racer is frequently tipped as a favorite for races like this due to his exceptional power on cobbled climbs and sprint finishes from reduced groups. His versatility means he can sustain long, hard efforts while still exploding on the short, steep ascents typical of the Flemish hills.

Although this race will make Van Aert’s debut in 2026 after recovering from a fractured ankle, which he sustained earlier this winter during a cyclocross race, and his performance can be unpredictable as he builds toward peak spring form, his sheer resilience and tactical awareness make him a constant threat in the finale, where positioning and timing matter as much as raw strength.

Current form & race style: Tom Pidcock

The British competitor enters the race with an intriguing mix of hilly terrain pedigree and explosive acceleration. Known for taking sharp corners and navigating narrow, technical sectors with confidence, Pidcock’s racing style isn’t the pure classics template but often gives him an edge in selective late break situations.

Coming off strong stage racing and spring preparation earlier in the year, his form suggests he’s ready to mix it with experienced cobbled specialists, using bursts of power to bridge gaps or follow attacks in the decisive phases of the race.

Dark horse: Søren Wærenskjold, the defending champion from 2025, must be respected. The Norwegian racer’s victory came from a powerful sprint in a smaller group, showcasing that when the race doesn’t shred completely on the climbs, he can still sprint strongly against a select field. His style is opportunistic — he benefits when the peloton stays relatively compact into the finale, allowing him to challenge stronger climbers with sprinters’ speed in the final kilometers.

Head-to-head

In classics like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, head-to-head history between riders is less straightforward than in team sports, but recent results still tell part of the story. Wærenskjold’s surprise victory in 2025 against top-tier names like Paul Magnier and Jasper Philipsen showed he can succeed in unpredictable classics conditions. Meanwhile, Van Aert has traditionally been among the strongest cobbled racers when in form, and Pidcock has ridden into contention at other one-day races, though his results here specifically have been mixed. Their collective matchups across late-season races and early classics paint a picture of tactical clashes between pure classics power, selective acceleration, and opportunistic sprinting.

Match analytics

Given the cobbled terrain, selective hills, and tactical depth, the 2026 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is likely to be decided by a reduced group finish or a late breakaway. Riders with strength on short climbs and the ability to sustain power after 190+ km will have the upper hand.

Tip: General Classification – Winner – Van Aert, Wout (check odds on Rabona).

Note: For now, only a few upcoming 2026 UCI World Tour races are covered by online sportsbooks’ betting markets, and 2026 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad isn’t one of them.