Christoph Roodhooft would love to see Mathieu van der Poel in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Will Mathieu van der Poel race the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday or not? It’s a question no one has an answer to yet, but his team Alpecin-Premier Tech is definitely hoping so.

In the lead-up to the Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst, Van der Poel confirmed to our website that he was considering a debut in the Opening Classic on February 28, but after that World Championship, he immediately indicated that the Omloop was still uncertain. The all-rounder said at the time that he would make a decision only in the week before the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

In an interview with Wieler Revue, sporting director Christoph Roodhooft noted in early February that he would absolutely welcome participation from his team leader. “Last year he was very clear that he didn’t want to take part in the Opening Weekend. I found that a shame because the weekend is important for a Belgian team. A few days later, he won Le Samyn decisively, but during the Omloop and Kuurne weekend, he was already very strong.”

“I think it would be good if he races, but only if the start-up goes well,” said Roodhooft some time ago. Clarity will come this week...