It has begun. The Spring Classics are here, the season has well and truly started. And guess what? Mathieu van der Poel is already winning. But he's far from the only one, and his is far from the only story in an Opening Weekend jam-packed full of drama.
First there was Omloop Nieuwsblad, and a suitably Northern European spring day to kick things off. Sadly the weather meant that the already nervous peloton was fairly frantic for at least the first half of the men's race, leading to countless crashes ranging from the innocuous to the shocking, even campaign ending in one or two cases – and one that defined the entire race. There were also potentially career-defining performances from among the underdogs, as top favourites ultimately took top honours in both men's and women's races – Demi Vollering joining Van der Poel atop the podium.
Then came Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, anything but a simple sprinters' classic. It was definitively attritional with several of the pre-race favourites distanced along with multiple entire teams, leaving only the most deserving – and lucky – to contest the finale. After what seems like weeks, even months of bad luck, the champions of the day were the riders of Visma-Lease a Bike, none more so than Matthew Brennan who finished off an epic all-day effort from his teammates.
Opening Weekend also means a return to the distinct landscapes of Belgium – and soon Northern France – with its dreary spring weather, unique facades, cobbles, bergs, and storied histories in bike racing and beyond. And that means a particular flavour of photography, which Kristof Ramon was on the roadside to provide, along with our friends over at Cor Vos. Get stuck into the first bumper gallery of the road racing season.
Kit Nicholson
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