Belgian continental teams allowed to start in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad after all

Good news for the Belgian continental teams Citymesh-Customm Pro Cycling Team and Minimax Cycling Team. The teams have been informed that they are welcome to participate in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this coming Saturday.

In fact, Citymesh-Customm and Minimax were not allowed to start in the Omloop due to new UCI regulations. Because the UCI wants to align the structure of the women’s race with that of the men’s, races in the Women’s WorldTour will officially no longer be allowed to invite continental teams from 2026 onwards, unless fewer than fifteen teams line up at the start.

That was not the case in the Omloop. All fourteen WorldTeams and seven ProTeams had already confirmed their participation in the Flemish season opener. However, the UCI has made an exception, allowing Minimax and Citymesh-Customm to start after all.

The international cycling union had previously done so in the UAE Tour Women and the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, where three and five continental teams respectively were invited.