UAE Team Emirates-XRG has announced its lineup for the upcoming Belgian Opening Weekend, featuring the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne. Belgian champion Tim Wellens will lead the team, supported by fellow Belgians Florian Vermeersch and Rune Herregodts. Sprinter Juan Sebastián Molano is also included, adding a versatile edge to the squad. The complete roster comprises Wellens, Vermeersch, Herregodts, Molano, Julius Johansen, Rui Oliveira, and Nils Politt. Notably, Ecuadorian rider Jhonatan Narváez, initially slated for these races, is sidelined due to multiple vertebral fractures sustained in a fall during the Santos Tour Down Under.
Reflecting on the significance of the Opening Weekend, Wellens emphasized its importance in the Belgian cycling calendar. “For us Belgians, this is the moment when we say the season really starts, so it’s super important,” he stated. He also expressed confidence in his early-season form, noting, “Like every year, I am really looking forward to it. I am always good at the beginning of the season.”
Wellens’ recent performance at the Clásica Jaén further bolsters his optimism. He secured a solo victory, extending his streak of winning at least one race each season to thirteen years. “I was really happy to win Jaén and to continue my 13-year streak of winning at least one race a season,” he remarked. This achievement provides him with substantial motivation as he approaches the upcoming classics.
Looking ahead to the Opening Weekend, Wellens highlighted the team’s strength and unity. “Of course, we will miss Jhony (Narváez) after his fall in the Tour Down Under, but we have Nils, Florian, and others, so I hope we can continue to do what we always try to do: use the strength of the team,” he said. He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the races, stating, “The Opening Weekend is always stressful, with positioning being super important, and sometimes it’s an open race. I remember Dylan Van Baarle winning after going from far out. Sometimes it ends in a sprint. You just never know in the Flemish classics — anything can happen!”
With a robust lineup and a clear strategy, UAE Team Emirates-XRG is poised to make a significant impact in the Belgian Opening Weekend, leveraging their collective strength to navigate the challenges of the classics season.