The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad marked the beginning of a new chapter for many riders on the WorldTour, particularly for young cyclists making their debut in the cobbled Classics. Despite the ongoing races in Australia, the Middle East, and Spain, the Opening Weekend in Belgium—featuring both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne—holds a special significance for fans and competitors alike.
This year, a group of promising riders took on their first-ever WorldTour Classics, with three British riders standing out. Among them was the youngest rider in the race, Matty Brennan, who is in his debut year with the Visma-Lease a Bike WorldTour team. He was brought in as a last-minute addition after several teammates faced injuries and illnesses.
Also making their first appearance in the prestigious race were Bob Donaldson, joining Jayco-AlUla after his move from Trinity Racing, and Joe Blackmore, Cycling Weekly’s 2024 Rider of the Year, racing in his first full season with Israel-Premier Tech. Another notable debutant was Josh Tarling of Ineos Grenadiers, who, though only 21, was already a seasoned pro, having competed in events like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in his first WorldTour season.
For these riders, the day offered both valuable lessons and fierce competition. Donaldson, 22, noted, “You go in expecting the worst—full gas from the start and absolute carnage.” His strategy was to stay near the front and assist teammates, and he felt he managed this task well. “The positioning is absolutely pivotal,” Donaldson said, reflecting on his experience. He appreciated the guidance provided by Mat Hayman, a former Roubaix winner, who offered insights about the race’s terrain through the team’s radio.
Donaldson, who came second in last year’s Paris-Roubaix espoirs, is targeting all the upcoming Classics, including Paris-Roubaix, where he expects to face significant challenges. “Roubaix is the big one for me,” he said, “but I’m looking forward to all of them, as it’s all new and I’m learning.”
For Blackmore, the race came just days after a successful performance at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes in France, where he finished fourth overall and won the points competition. Reflecting on his Omloop Het Nieuwsblad debut, Blackmore remarked, “It was a crazy fight for every corner, every inch, every bit of road.” Unfortunately, a mishap at the Molenberg climb left him struggling to maintain his position. “It goes to show how quickly these Belgian races can change,” he said, acknowledging that there’s a lot to learn from the experience. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the upcoming Classics.
Brennan and Tarling also gained experience despite not contending for top positions. Brennan finished in 69th, while Tarling placed 47th. Donaldson and Blackmore finished in 89th and 93rd, respectively. Despite the results, all the riders made it to the finish, and for these newcomers, it’s only the beginning of a promising WorldTour career. As Donaldson put it, “There’s a whole lot more to come.”
With their debut now behind them, these young riders will continue to grow and gain valuable insight into the intense world of the Classics as the season progresses.
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