The potential for an open and attacking race at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2023 may be somewhat compromised by the headwind expected in the final stages of the race.

Since 2018, the route for the men's and women's versions of the Classic opener has used Mühl van Geraasbergen and Vossberg as the final climb before the 13km run-in to Ninove.

Located to the northwest, the course will likely have a headwind similar to the 2021 event.

The wind direction could have a significant impact on Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and the "new" course will probably be less demanding than before, with greater emphasis on Mühl and Vosberg.

Headwinds usually discourage attackers and increase the likelihood of a more mixed race. By contrast, when there is a tailwind, it becomes more difficult to close gaps opened by attacks, and the race tends to be more open.

At last year's Omloop Het Niesbrod, Wout Van Aert took the advantage from Vosberg in the men's race, while Annemiek Van Fluten beat Demi Vollering in a two-up sprint in the women's race.

If it comes down to a sprint, patience will be key in the final dash, as the last section of Ninove's wide Elisabethlaan is slightly uphill and into a near headwind.

Arnaud Des Rieres (Lotto Doustony) is a big contender in the men's race as he packs a punch.

But the decisive factor is always how the race is actually run: just after Ballerini won the men's race in 2021, Anna van der Breggen finished alone in the women's race against the same headwind.

For a race that has been hit by storms and snow in the past, the weather was mild. Temperatures hovered around 7°C, requiring arm and leg warmers at the start, but bare arms and legs as the race picked up steam in the afternoon.

Sunday's Coulee Brussel Coulee had similar winds and slightly cooler temperatures. It should be noted that this race will most likely be a group sprint after one lap of the cournet, but it will be a tailwind sprint.

Under these conditions, the riders can afford to sprint from a bit of a distance.