Belgium 28 Feb 2026 Class 1.UWT – 1 day – UCI Men’s WorldTour
Website www.omloopnieuwsblad.be
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Alex Kirsch is a Luxembourgish professional road cyclist who currently competes at the UCI WorldTour level. Known for his versatility as a classics specialist and a powerful domestique, he has established himself as one of Luxembourg’s most prominent riders in the modern era.
Professional Career & Profile
- Current Team: Cofidis (joined in 2025).
- Role: Primarily a classics rider and lead-out specialist.
- Career Progression: * Cofidis (2025–Present)
- Lidl-Trek / Trek-Segafredo (2019–2024)
- WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect (2017–2018)
- Stölting Service Group (2016)
- Cult Energy Pro Cycling (2015)
- Leopard-Trek Continental Team (2012–2014)
Key Achievements
- Double National Champion (2023): He achieved a career milestone in 2023 by winning both the Luxembourg National Road Race and Time Trial championships.
- Grand Tour Experience: He has completed multiple Grand Tours, including the Tour de France (2022, 2023), the Giro d’Italia (including a 2nd place stage finish in 2023), and the Vuelta a España.
- Classics Success: * 2nd place at Le Samyn (2017).
- 10th place at the E3 Saxo Classic (2024).
- 3rd overall at the Tour de Wallonie (2024).
2026 Season
As of late February 2026, Kirsch has already been active in the early season, competing in the AlUla Tour and the Vuelta a Andalucía (Ruta del Sol). He is scheduled to start the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 28, 2026, as part of the Opening Weekend of the classics.
Personal Information
Olympian: He represented Luxembourg at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the road race.
Born: June 12, 1992, in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
Physical Profile: Standing at 1.94 m (6’4″) and weighing approximately 75–78 kg, his height and power make him a formidable presence in crosswinds and flat classics.
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The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is more than just a bike race; for cycling fans, it is the official “New Year’s Day.” Held annually in late February, it serves as the opening event of the Belgian cycling season and the first UCI WorldTour race on European soil.
1. The “Newspaper War” Origins
The race was born in 1945 out of a rivalry between two Belgian newspapers: Het Volk and Het Nieuwsblad.
- The Spite Race: Het Nieuwsblad already owned the prestigious Tour of Flanders (De Ronde). The left-leaning Het Volk wanted to create a rival event to challenge the Ronde’s dominance and its controversial history during WWII.
- The Name Dispute: It was originally named the Omloop van Vlaanderen (Circuit of Flanders). However, the organizers of the Tour of Flanders protested that the name was too similar to their own. Eventually, the race was renamed Omloop Het Volk.
- The Merger: In 2008, the newspaper Het Volk was bought out by its rival, Het Nieuwsblad. For the 2009 edition, the race was rebranded as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, finally uniting the names under one banner.
2. The Course: A “Mini” Tour of Flanders
The race is famous for its brutal combination of cold late-winter weather, narrow roads, and “hellish” cobbled climbs (hellingen).
- The Route: It typically starts in Ghent and finishes in Ninove.
- Key Climbs: Over the years, the race has adopted many of the iconic climbs from the Tour of Flanders, most notably the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg.
- The “Opening Weekend”: It is the first half of a double-header. The following day, riders compete in Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, making for a grueling two-day introduction to the Classics season.
3. Historical Milestones & Records
- Belgian Dominance: Local riders have historically dominated. Belgians won the first 14 editions and hold the record for most total wins (56).
- The Triple Crown: Only three riders have won the race three times:
- Ernest Sterckx (1952, 1953, 1956)
- Joseph Bruyère (1974, 1975, 1980)
- Peter Van Petegem (1997, 1998, 2002)
- The Cannibal’s First: The legendary Eddy Merckx won his first professional “Opening Weekend” race here in 1971.
- Women’s Race: A women’s edition was established in 2006. In 2023, it was elevated to the UCI Women’s WorldTour, held on the same day as the men’s race.
4. Weather and Cancellations
Because it takes place in February, the “Omloop” is notorious for snow and freezing rain.
- 1986 & 2004: Both editions were famously cancelled due to heavy snowfall.
- 1971: Postponed by three weeks because of severe weather conditions.
The most recent winner (2025) was the Norwegian rider Søren Wærenskjold, who broke the mold with a surprise solo attack.
