The 2024 edition marked the exhilarating start to the spring Classics season, featuring a 202.2km course commencing at the 't Kuipke velodrome in Ghent. The route, slightly shortened from the previous year, showcased 12 climbs and nine cobbled sectors, strategically placed in the latter half.
The race kicked off with challenges like the cobbles of Haaghoek and the Leberg climb within the first 50km. A 48km stretch without major obstacles followed, leading to the Lange Munte cobbles at the halfway point. As the peloton passed Oudenaarde at 99.7km, the intensity heightened with rapid successions of climbs, including Kattenberg, Leberg, Valkenberg, Wolvenberg, Molenberg, and Berendries.
The decisive phase unfolded after 186.5km, as riders faced the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen, followed by the Bosberg climb at 190.4km. The finish line in Ninove remained unchanged from the previous year, located on the wider, slightly uphill Elisabethlaan.[3]
Final part of 2024 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Teams
Twenty-five teams participated in the race, including all eighteen UCI WorldTeams and seven UCI ProTeams. In total, 175 riders started the race.[4]
As the race progressed, the Visma–Lease a Bike team took control in the second hour, splitting the peloton and forming a decisive group of 30 riders. Matteo Jorgenson's relentless pace on the Wolvenberg dwindled the front group to six, featuring Van Aert, Laporte, Moscon, De Lie, Pidcock, and Skujiņš. Despite chasing efforts, the trio from Visma–Lease a Bike maintained their lead, with Toms Skujiņš briefly attempting a solo move.
With 21km remaining, Matteo Jorgenson launched a decisive attack, creating a gap that ultimately secured the Visma–Lease a Bike victory in Meerbeke. The team's strategic dominance, coupled with the falls of Kasper Asgreen and Julian Alaphilippe from Soudal–Quick-Step, marked a thrilling start to the Classics season and showcased their formidable strength in the race. The unexpected twists and turns added an element of suspense, but the Visma–Lease a Bike team navigated them masterfully, celebrating the triumph in the iconic race.[5]
