Niermann tempers expectations about Van Aert’s chances in the opening weekend: "Omloop and Kuurne are good benchmarks"

Last year’s opening weekend couldn’t have gone better for Visma | Lease a Bike. Jan Tratnik unexpectedly won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and a day later, the team’s top leader, Wout van Aert, claimed victory in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne for the first time. It seemed like the perfect setup for a fantastic spring, but for well-known reasons, that plan fell apart. In 2025, it's a new season with new opportunities, and of course, the team is hoping for another strong start.

As mentioned, last year’s start was perfect. But 2023 was also highly successful, with Dylan van Baarle winning Omloop and Tiesj Benoot taking Kuurne. In 2022, it was Van Aert himself who dominated Omloop. The Dutch team has built an impressive track record in the opening weekend over the past few years and hopes to continue that strong streak this season.

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Tratnik won the Omloop in 2024

Plenty of options in the battle for Visma | Lease a Bike

Sports director Grischa Niermann sees plenty of opportunities. "Our goal is to win a race," the German stated on the team’s website. Despite some changes within the squad, he remains optimistic. "We have a strong team for both days. Our preparation has gone well, and we’re motivated to achieve a great result."

With Van Aert as the spearhead and Olav Kooij as an additional sprint option for Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Niermann sees multiple opportunities. "Kuurne is more often decided in a sprint by a large group than Omloop. The past two years, we managed to prevent that, but now that Olav is here, we have extra possibilities. He enjoys racing these events, and we believe Kuurne suits him well."

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Van Aert on the hot seat in the Algarve time trial, Vingegaard celebrating victory

Niermann tempers expectations about Van Aert in the opening weekend

Van Aert has already logged his first road racing kilometers of the season in Clásica Jaén and the Volta ao Algarve. He particularly impressed in the final time trial of the Algarve, finishing second, just behind Jonas Vingegaard, who took the overall victory. "I look back on my first races with satisfaction," Van Aert said. "The goal was to gain that extra one percent, and I think I achieved that. I’ve found my confidence and enjoyment again, which has done me a lot of good."

However, he is cautious about drawing definitive conclusions about his form. "After Algarve, it was still too early to evaluate where I stand. I think next weekend will be more telling. The most important thing is that I felt better each day and made progress."

Sports director Niermann tempers expectations around his team leader. "Wout showed in the Algarve time trial that he’s in good shape. However, we shouldn’t expect him to be in absolute top form this weekend. His peak is planned for late March and early April, when the Monuments are on the calendar. Omloop and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne will serve as good benchmarks."

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