Excitement Builds for Canyon//SRAM Racing at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Opening Weekend

The upcoming weekend marks the opening of the highly anticipated cycling event, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, where Canyon//SRAM Racing is gearing up with a strong lineup to tackle the challenging race. The team, consisting of Elise Chabbey, Tiffany Cromwell, Kasia Niewiadoma, Soraya Paladin, Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka, and Alice Towers, is set to compete in the Women’s World Tour race on Saturday, 24 February.

The course for this year’s edition features eight climbs, five cobblestone sectors, and spans over 127 kilometers. Although slightly shorter than the previous year, the race promises a thrilling competition. The final trio of climbs—Elverenberg-Vossenhol, Muur-Kapelmuur, and Bosberg—presents a challenge, with the finish line approaching quickly thereafter.

Reflecting on the significance of the season’s commencement, Kasia Niewiadoma states, “Classic racing, in contrast to stage racing, is more unpredictable, dynamic, interesting, and, to some extent, more mentally demanding. You have one day and one opportunity to achieve a good result that you have been working for the whole winter.”

For Kasia, coming off a commendable second-place finish at Setmana Cyclist Valenciana, the anticipation for the upcoming race is palpable. “I always find it interesting to see where I am compared to my competition at the start of the season,” she shares.

Expressing her strategic approach to the race, Kasia emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, stating, “When you know you’re personally going into the race on a good level, everything becomes easier, and the fighting for position or following teammates happens naturally.”

Looking ahead to the competition, Kasia envisions a dynamic race where Canyon//SRAM Racing seizes the opportunity to dictate the rhythm of the race. “We want to be able to play different cards, be the ones racing aggressively, and force others to be defensive,” she remarks.

Cycling enthusiasts can catch all the action from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad by following #OHN24 on X starting at 13:35 CET or tuning into the broadcast on VRT, NOS, FloBikes, and Eurosport from 16:00 CET onwards. With a stellar lineup and high stakes, the weekend promises an exhilarating start to the cycling season.