Norwegian rider Søren Wærenskjold of (Uno-X Mobility) clinched the victory in a thrilling sprint finish at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, ahead of Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
The 197km 2025 route featured a challenging profile with nine climbs and several cobbled sections. The final hurdles, the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg, didn’t play such a role this year. From the outset, a group of seven riders formed an early breakaway, establishing a lead that peaked at seven minutes. Ineos Grenadiers and Visma Lease a Bike were proactive in initiating chase efforts and helped close this gap and catch the break with 30km to go.
On the second to last climb, Muur van Geraardsbergen, the peloton intensified its efforts, however, no significant splits occurred and the main contenders remained together, except for Arnaud De Lie who faced mechanical issues and lost contact.
With less than 10km from the finish, the riders hit the last climb, Bosberg, and a series of attacks were launched, but none succeeded and the largely intact peloton began preparing for a sprint finish.
However, with 10 kilometers remaining Swiss rider Stefan Küng launched a solo attack, aiming to seize victory before the sprint. He managed to maintain a lead but was reeled back in the final kilometer.
After Küng was reeled in, it was just a matter of positioning among the sprinters and who had the best legs. With 150 meters to go, Wærenskjold emerged from the middle and outkicked Magnier and Philipsen to the line to win by a half wheel.
Wærenskjold explained afterwards how he approached the sprint.
“I wanted to go left, because I was afraid of getting boxed in on the right. But there was an opening. So I first went right and then found an opening on the left. It worked out perfectly. I am just super happy. In the final metres I gave everything. I saw that Magnier was next to me, it was very close. I did my best to be the first. That I succeeded gives a great feeling.”
Philipsen was satisfied with 3rd place, but felt he lacked the mental edge needed to take the win.
“I think I waited too long. I was actually waiting for Wout van Aert ‘s sprint , but he didn’t come. I think he didn’t have the legs. After that it became a battle against Søren. I think I missed a bit of the killer mentality in that sprint, hopefully I’ll find it again in the coming weeks.”
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