2012 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Teams

As this was a UCI 1.HC event, the organizers, the Flanders Classics Federation, were allowed to invite UCI ProTeams (maximum 70% of the total field), UCI Professional Continental teams, and UCI Continental teams.

Non ProTeams teams are indicated by an asterisk below. Each of the 25 teams were permitted up to eight riders, for a total of 196 riders.

Pre-race favourites

Pre-race favourites included:

• Tom Boonen – 2005 UCI World Road Race Champion, 3 time Paris–Roubaix Champion, 2 time Tour of Flanders Champion
• Philippe Gilbert – 2 time Giro di Lombardia Champion, 2010 Amstel Gold Race Champion, 2 time Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Champion
• Juan Antonio Flecha – 2010 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Champion, 2011 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Runner-up
• Greg Van Avermaet
• Matti Breschel
• Heinrich Haussler

The race started at about 11:45 AM Central European Time with 173 riders under wet and cold conditions.{{cite web A breakaway of eight riders gained a maximum of 8 minutes and 30 seconds over the peloton. At about 65 kilometers to go, pre-race favorite Tom Boonen attacked the peloton on the Taaienberg climb – also known as the Boonenberg. Boonen was quickly chased down by World Champion Thor Hushovd. At this time the peloton was 38 seconds behind the breakaway. With 55 kilometers remaining, the last riders from the breakaway were caught. At this point, eventual race winner Sebastian Langeveld attacked solo on the Eikenberg climb. With 37 kilometers remaining, Langeveld held a minute advantage to a group of ten riders that included Juan Antonio Flecha, Matthew Hayman, Luca Paolini, Niki Terpstra, Martijn Maaskant, Manuel Quinziato, Jurgen Roelandts, Lars Boom, Frédéric Amorison, and John Degenkolb and held a two minute advantage to many of the pre-race favorites.

Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), taking advantage of a crash between Luca Paolini and Martijn Maaskant, attacked on the Paddestraat to chase after solo leader Langeveld. When Flecha came within 13 seconds of Langeveld, Langeveld waited for the Spaniard. The duo started working together with 13 kilometers to go. Fearing a sprint finish with Langeveld, Flecha attacked with 5 kilometers to go, however, Langeveld quickly responded. With the finish line in sight, Langeveld opened up the sprint and beat Flecha by centimeters. Flecha's Team Sky teammate, Matthew Hayman, won the sprint for third place, as many of the race favorites finished 5 minutes behind.{{cite web

Results

References

References

1. (23 February 2012). "Het parcours van de Omloop Het Nieuwsblad". [[Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie]].
2. (25 February 2012). "Vanmarcke wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad".
3. (1 February 2012). "UCI Cycling Regulations". Union Cycliste Internationale.