Mathieu van der Poel competes in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Mathieu van der Poel will line up at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this coming Saturday. Alpecin-Premier Tech announced this on Wednesday. The team also revealed his remaining spring race schedule.

"As announced after the Cyclo-cross World Championships, Mathieu van der Poel would complete his first training block before making a final decision about his return to the road," Alpecin-Premier Tech wrote on social media. "After a few solid weeks on the bike, he feels race-ready and will start at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad."

"His further spring program is largely the same as last season. Tirreno-Adriatico will serve as preparation for Milano-San Remo, the first Monument of the year. From there, he will head to the E3 Saxo Classic, In Flanders Fields (Middelkerke-Wevelgem), and the cobbled Monuments Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The classics are calling!"

MvdP spring campaign locked in. 🔒

As announced after the Cyclo-cross World Championships, @mathieuvdpoel waited to complete his first training block before making a final decision on his road return. After a few solid weeks on the bike, he feels race-ready and will line up at… pic.twitter.com/RIuWujv8EZ

— Alpecin - Premier Tech (@AlpecinPT) February 25, 2026

Compared to last season, this is a noticeable change. While Van der Poel did not participate in (then called) Gent-Wevelgem last year, he is now targeting the cobbled classic once again.