Omloop 2025: Robbie McEwen tips for Van Aert to improve Tom Pidcock & Guide Visma lease a bike until four in a row

Robbie McEwen Robbie McEwen from TNT Sports has made his predictions for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, as many of the most exciting stars of sport for the race on March 1st are preparing.

The opening weekend is finally here and the traditional double head memory of cobblestone classics begins with omloop in the cycling Heartland of Flanders, Belgium.

The omloop often serves as an early indicator of the form that goes into the top-class monuments such as Paris-Roubaix and the tour through Flanders.

“I will go with Wout van Aert for the omloop,” said McEwen. “I think he's not quite in his absolutely best, but given the race, he is currently in Algarve and a week of recovery and assimilation, I think it will be good enough to be successful in the omloop.

“Nevertheless, there are a few other drivers who could also be strong competitors. I am excited to see how Tom Pidcock appears because he has been in great form since the beginning of the season. Wherever Wout is going, Pidcock seems to follow, and we saw beforehand how Pidcock beat a few years ago.

The Van Aert team, Visma – Lease, has won a bike here in the past three years. Van Aert won in 2022, while Dylan van Baarle and Jan Tratnik 2023 and 2024 won. The Dutch team always seems to get to the bottom of the opening classics, and they could make it four in a row this weekend.

“But I will still choose Wout as a favorite,” McEwen continued. “There will be so much attention to him, and that can make things difficult. I mean, last year we saw, as Jan Tratnik won, especially because all the eyes were directed towards the big favorites and someone slipped away. That is what I love about the omloop – it can raise surprising winners.

“It is the first paved classic of the season. Everyone knows who the favorites are, but that often works against them, and know that too. But I still stick to Wout.”

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad takes place on Saturday, March 1st, with both men and the women's races take place on the same day.

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