Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 (also listed as Omloop Nieuwsblad Women Elite) is a UCI Women’s WorldTour one-day classic in Belgium that launches the European cobbled season. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 takes place on Saturday 28 February 2026, starting in Ghent and finishing in Ninove, combining bergs, cobbles, crosswind exposure and a decisive late sequence that rewards the strongest classics riders.

Direct answer:
The next Women’s WorldTour race after UAE Tour Women 2026 is Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026, held 28 February 2026 in Belgium (Ghent to Ninove).

For more Women’s WorldTour coverage, see our Women’s WorldTour Teams and Riders 2026 guide.

Quick Facts: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026

• Race name: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women (Women Elite)
• UCI classification: Women’s WorldTour one-day race (1.WWT)
• Date: Saturday 28 February 2026
• Country: Belgium
• Start: Ghent
• Finish: Ninove
• Race type: Cobbled classics
• Season role: Opening Weekend benchmark for spring form

Therefore, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 is the first major “real test” of the northern classics season.

What Is Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women?

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women is one of the most important early-season one-day races in women’s cycling. It is raced on narrow Flemish roads featuring short climbs (bergs), cobbled sectors and constant positioning stress. Consequently, it reveals which riders and teams are ready to dominate the classics weeks ahead.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 Start and Finish

The 2026 edition begins in Ghent and finishes in Ninove. Ghent is confirmed as the start city for multiple future editions, securing a stable launch point for the women’s race and its Opening Weekend identity.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 Route Overview

The organiser’s official 2026 roadbook and final route details are typically released closer to race week. Until the final course is published, the most reliable way to understand the race is to focus on the recurring Omloop structure:

• Early kilometres: fast, nervous, and position-heavy
• Middle phase: cobbles and bergs begin to thin the bunch
• Final phase: repeated climbs and decisive cobbled sectors force selection
• Finale: a late double-punch sequence followed by a hard run-in to Ninove

As a result, winners are usually the riders who can handle repeated accelerations, survive the toughest late climbs, and still finish with speed or a late attack.

Key Climbs and Cobbled Sectors to Know

The official 2026 route will confirm the final list. However, in the most recently published detailed route breakdown, the women’s race used the following decisive features and finale pattern.

Key climbs (bergs)

• Edelareberg
• Wolvenberg
• Molenberg
• Leberg
• Berendries
• Elverenberg–Vossenhol
• Muur–Kapelmuur
• Bosberg

These climbs arrive after hours of positioning stress, so the strongest riders often use them to force separation rather than relying on a single explosive move.

Key cobbled sectors

• Paddestraat
• Lange Munte
• Holleweg
• Karel Martelstraat
• Jagerij
• Haaghoek

Because cobbles amplify speed, fatigue and errors, teams fight for the front well before these sectors begin.

The Decisive Finale: Muur–Kapelmuur and Bosberg

Omloop’s signature finale is defined by:

• A late decisive climb at the Muur–Kapelmuur, where elite puncheurs can create selection
• A final launchpad at the Bosberg, where gaps can hold on the run-in to Ninove
• A finish that often rewards either a small group or a late attacker, depending on how hard the finale is raced

Therefore, the race is rarely “simple.” Even when a sprint happens, it is usually reduced and highly tactical.

Race Tactics and Likely Winning Profiles

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women typically rewards:

• Classics specialists who thrive on repeated efforts
• Puncheurs who can attack on steep bergs
• Strong all-rounders who can survive cobbles and still finish fast
• Deep teams that can control positioning across key sectors

If conditions are windy, crosswinds can split the peloton early. If rain arrives, the cobbles become more selective and crashes increase the importance of calm positioning. Consequently, the strongest teams aim to keep multiple riders in the front group before the final two climbs.

Startlist Status for 2026

Official startlists are normally confirmed close to race week by the organiser and the UCI. At present:

• WorldTour teams are eligible to start
• Final rider entries will appear in official startlist releases and the UCI database
• Early online lists should be treated as provisional until organiser confirmation

Accordingly, check the official race page during race week for the confirmed teams and riders.

Viewing Guide

Broadcast and streaming information is typically published close to the race date. For the most accurate viewing details, check the official race site and your local rights holders in race week.

You can find official race information and updates on the organiser site at https://www.omloophetnieuwsblad.be and UCI calendar listings at https://www.uci.org.

Why This Race Matters

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 is the first true classics benchmark of the season. It reveals early form, highlights team depth, and sets expectations for the spring block ahead. For fans, it’s the moment the classics season truly begins. For analysts, it’s the first reliable read on who can handle bergs, cobbles and pressure when the racing turns tactical and brutal.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026?

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women 2026 takes place on Saturday 28 February 2026.

Is Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women a Women’s WorldTour race?

Yes. It is a UCI Women’s WorldTour one-day classic (1.WWT).

Where does the race start and finish?

The race starts in Ghent and finishes in Ninove.

What decides the race?

Late climbs and cobbled sectors usually create selection, with the finale often shaped by the Muur–Kapelmuur and Bosberg before the run-in to Ninove.

Where can I find the official route and startlist?

The organiser typically publishes the final roadbook, route details, and confirmed startlist closer to race week on the official race site and related official channels.