Video: Classic Omloop Nieuwsblad brought a shocking conclusion 10 years ago

BRATISLAVA. At first glance, it was a situation in which the best team could not play. In the leader of the four -member group he had three cyclists who could literally enchant his only opponent.

Legendary Tom Boonen remembers how the Sports Director of Quick-Step Wilfried Peeters came to them as to whether they are already fictional.

« The most logical was that we would come to the finish together and I will win in the sprint. But Terpstra and Vandenberg also wanted to win, » recalled the former World Champion on the Wielerclub Wattage.

Quick-Step riders alternated in the attacks, but none of them managed to break the resistance of the famous Ian Stannard. Finally, only his attack caused a division of the group and at the sprint was faster than Niki Terpstra.

It was a shock. Stannard had a scarce chance, but miraculously managed to win.

« We looked at the hotel for the last five kilometers twice, and although we knew the result, we still couldn't figure out how he could win, » said Sky Luke Rowe about his teammate.

Boonen would decide differently today

Omloop Nieuwsblad traditionally opens the season of the spring classics and the second triumph of Stanrard is considered one of the most unexpected victories in modern cycling, given the above -mentioned circumstances.

And although ten years have passed since then, Boonen remembers very well the atmosphere in the team that reigned shortly after the cowardly conclusion.

Video: How Ian Stannard won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2015

« When I look back at it, I was supposed to bang on the table and sprinted. Plus, Niki, instead of waiting for Stannard, went ahead because he saw I was coming. It was a stupid mistake.

It was the only time I almost killed with no one. We almost touched our nose and we just scolded for fifteen minutes, « Boonen added.

In addition to Stannard, this century managed to defend the Omloope triumph only Belgian Greg Van Avermaet, who in 2016 and 2017 always overcame Petr Sagan in the final spurt.

In the collection of a native of Žilina, the victory of these races is missing, unlike other paved classics such as E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne or Monuments around Flanders and Paris -Roubaix.

MCEWEN has its favorite

In the last three years, the Ghent event to Ninov has been conquered by the Visma team thanks to the triumphs of WOUTH VAN AERT, Dylan Van Baarle and Jan Tratnik.

This time, the riders in yellow-black jerseys will have the highest ambitions, as Mathieu van der Poel or the world champion Tadej Pogačar is the number one favorite.

« He's not yet in the best shape, but I think that after the Algarve and the Regeneration and Preparation Week, I think it will be good enough to be successful in Omloope, » said expert Robbie McEwen.

The winner of the 24 stages at the Grand Tours is betting the victory of a 30-year-old Belgian, but also mentions an important aspect, which often plays against the main favorite.

« He will take a lot of attention to him, which can make things complicate. Last year we saw the victory of Jan Tratnik, especially because all his eyes were on favorites and managed to escape.

This is what I like about Omloope. It can bring surprising winners, « says McEwen, who considers Tom Pidcock to be the main challenger Van Aert.

« It will be exciting if the two come to the finish, » he says.

Despite the absence of Pogačar, the UAE Emirates team will also want to participate in the game for victory, which he ordered his classic line -up by engaging Jhonatan Narváez and Florian Vermeersch.

« We will start with a very strong team, which, unlike the previous seasons, makes one of the favorites. We started the season well and I hope we will continue this trend, » said experienced Tim Wellens.

Will Kubiš confirm a good form?

In 2025, the premiere at the prestigious classic is also waiting for the reigning Slovak champion Lukáš Kubiš. After transfer to the prokontinental team Unibet Tieta Rockets shows in very good form.

At the race around Provence to the end, he fought for the overall placement on the podium and even in the challenging classic stage he was able to keep up with world aces like Mads Pedersen or Matej Mohorič.

One of the co -founders of the team is the former cyclist Bas Tietma, whose aim is to win a seat at the Tour de France as early as 2026.