Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) will make his first-ever start at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, February 28, opening his 2026 road season at the 207km Belgian classic from Ghent to Ninove.
The confirmation, made by his team on Wednesday, immediately installed the 31-year-old Dutchman as pre-race favourite for the opening weekend.
"After a few solid weeks on the bike, he feels race-ready and will line up at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad," the team said, adding that Van der Poel had waited to complete his first training block before committing. That block took place on the Costa Blanca in Spain, from where he is scheduled to fly back to Belgium on Wednesday.
Van der Poel has historically opted for later season debuts, starting his road campaigns at races such as Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo or the Ename Samyn Classic.
The decision to begin in late February signals confidence in his condition, with a spring focused on defending his Monument titles, with a shot at a record-breaking fourth consecutive Paris-Roubaix victory in April.
Soudal Quick-Step will counter with a multi-leader approach built around Lampaert, Dylan van Baarle and Jasper Stuyven, while Visma-Lease a Bike are set to be led by Wout van Aert, who returns from an ankle injury at his own season debut. Van Aert won the race in 2022.
Van der Poel's confirmed spring schedule runs from Saturday through Tirreno-Adriatico (March 9–15), Milano-Sanremo (March 21), E3 Saxo Classic, In Flanders Fields, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix on April 12.
