The Omloop Nieuwsblad 2026 brings the WorldTour and the very best Classics riders to Flanders on Saturday, February 28.
As the first major cobbled classic of the year, it marks the start of the Opening Weekend. Whether you're at home or abroad, here's how to watch live – with all official TV channels, legitimate free streams, and a simple way to keep access to your home subscription securely through a VPN while travelling.
Omloop Nieuwsblad 2026 Race Times
Saturday 28 February 2026
| Timezone | Men Elite Start | Men Elite Expected Finish | Women Elite Start | Women Elite Expected Finish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local | CET / UTC+1 | 11:05 | 15:52 | 13:35 | 17:17 |
Race Favourites
In the men's race, Wout van Aert's much-anticipated return from injury sadly won't come to pass in Omloop. The Belgian rider withdrew from sickness. As a result, Mathieu van der Poel enters as the clear favourite.
Other riders to watch include second place finisher in the 2025 race Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step), and Van Aert's Visma team lead replacement. You can see a full rundown of the key Omloop favourites in our preview.
In the women's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, all eyes are on Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx–Protime), who enters this year as one of the strongest Classics prospects, while Demi Vollering (FDJ–Suez) will also be a key rider to watch.
How to watch Omloop Nieuwsblad
Global coverage is split between national broadcasters and premium sports networks. All the essential details for your region are in the table below.
Live Streaming Coverage by Region
| Region | Broadcaster | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | Discovery+ / TNT Sports | £30.99/month | Live coverage on TNT Sports 3 and Discovery+ app. |
United States | FloBikes | $29.99/month | Primary home for Belgian classics in the USA. |
Canada | FloBikes | $29.99/month | Exclusive live streaming for Canadian cycling fans. |
Belgium | VRT (Sporza) | Free | Comprehensive free Flemish coverage with expert commentary. |
France | L'Equipe | Free | Free-to-air coverage on La Chaîne L'Equipe. |
Netherlands | NOS | Free | Live coverage available on NPO channels. |
Italy | Eurosport / Discovery+ | Varies | Standard home for WorldTour cycling in Italy. |
Australia | VPN / FloBikes | Varies | Use a VPN to access home subscriptions while travelling. |
Austria | ORF | Free | Free coverage for viewers located in Austria. |
Legal Free Streams
Velora tip: Many countries offer free-to-air official coverage. Certain national broadcasters show the race live for free – entirely legally:
- Belgium: VRT (Sporza) and RTL-TVi
- Netherlands: NOS
- France: La Chaîne L’Équipe
- Austria: ORF
You can safely access your usual services abroad via a trusted VPN – without breaking any rules. If you're abroad, you can connect via VPN to your home country to access these official, legal feeds – just as if you were at home.
Using a VPN Legally While Travelling
Broadcasters often limit streams to home viewers. If you're travelling, a VPN lets you securely connect to your home network — so you can keep watching your existing paid or free account from abroad.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Our editorial team uses NordVPN by choice, we all purchased it independently to watch cycling races wherever we are.
- 8,400+ VPN servers covering 167+ locations
- One of the fastest VPNs on the market
- Protection from surveillance & cyberthreats
- Use NordVPN on up to 10 devices
How to do it:
- Download NordVPN – our recommended VPN for streaming while travelling.
- Connect to your home country (e.g., Belgium for Sporza or UK for Discovery+).
- Open your usual broadcaster's site or app and start watching safely.
Velora never endorses bypassing broadcast rights.
A VPN should only be used to access official services – whether paid or free-to – while abroad.
Always use legitimate platforms. Unofficial streams often breach copyright and expose viewers to malware or fake ads.
Why you should watch Omloop Nieuwsblad
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad remains one of cycling's most prestigious WorldTour one-day races, known for its combination of Belgian bergs and pavé. As the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spring Classics, it serves as the form guide for the Tour of Flanders. The route features the Muur van Geraardsbergen, where the race is often won or lost before the final dash to Ninove.
Quick Recap
- Watch live via official broadcasters (Discovery+, FloBikes, etc.)
- Access free and legal coverage via Sporza, NOS, and L'Equipe
- Travelling abroad? Use a VPN to keep access to your home subscription safely
- Avoid illegal or pirate streams – they're unsafe and breach copyright
Watch the Omloop Nieuwsblad live, free (where available), and securely — wherever you are.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Get NordVPN - Special OfferFAQ
Velora only promotes VPN use to maintain access to legitimate, paid, or free-to-air services while abroad.
Cover image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
