Dutch cyclists win first race of Belgian cycling season

Mathieu van der Poel in the men’s race and Demi Vollering in the women’s race. These two Dutch cyclists achieved victory in the first race of the Belgian cycling season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, in East-Flanders.

Mathieu van der Poel fully lived up to his role as favorite on Saturday. The 31-year-old Dutchman made his debut in the Belgian opening classic and won it immediately. Van der Poel made the difference in the final on the Wall of Geraardsbergen. "I've ticked another one off my list," the Dutchman smiled at the finish. "This race wasn't on my list of achievements yet, and the team had never been able to win it either. So everyone's happy."

Demi Vollering won the 21st edition of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for women (WorldTour). The Dutch rider won a two-up sprint after 137.2 km between Ghent and Ninove, ahead of Polish rider Kasia Niewiadoma. The sprint for third place went to Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes. Vollering also attacked on the Wall of Geraardsbergen, the penultimate climb of the day.

_{#FlandersNewsService | The Wall of Geraardsbergen © ​ BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS}