Van Aert's Bosberg blast-off

Belgian star distances all comers to win solo at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and dedicates his victory to the Ukrainian people

- James Shrubsall

Having declared that he had suffered last year for targeting too many races, Wout van Aert (JumboVisma) showed up at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last Saturday (26 February) with a new focus and duly delivered.

The Belgian champion attacked from a group of favourites on the Bosberg climb and held on for the remaining 13 kilometres for an impressive victory. It left few in any doubt that ‘WVA’ will continue to be a force to be reckoned with this season. The women’s race was won by Annemiek van Vleuten (see separate story).

Van Aert dedicated his victory to the people of Ukraine, whose country continued to be under attack by Russia and whose plight is galvanising the sporting world in protest. “What’s happening in Ukraine, it’s hard to understand that this is still possible in current times,” he said. “I really pray and hope we find some common sense again soon. In these times, sport is just not important. I really want to support the people there.”

Van Aert and his Jumbo-Visma team had looked dangerous and purposeful throughout much of the race, and van Aert’s Belgian team-mate Teisj Benoot put in a sterling supporting performance, at one point attacking into Geraardsbergen and leading over the Muur-Kapelmuur climb before being caught.

Asked how it felt to attack alone on the Bosberg, van Aert simply replied: “Awful.” He added: “It’s a suicide mission because your legs have already exploded before you touch the first cobblestone. It’s the sort of climb that doesn’t look hard in training – before you know it you’re at the top. But in the finale of a race, it’s just endless.”