Israel – Premier Tech enters Opening Weekend in Belgium – and the wider Spring Classics campaign that Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne herald the start of – with a mix of excitement, anticipation and a quiet confidence.

Revered by cycling fans worldwide, Omloop (Saturday March 1) marks the team’s first one-day WorldTour race of the season in Europe. While Kuurne on Sunday can be overshadowed by what comes before it, the race boasts an impressive list of former winners and its involvement in Opening Weekend automatically gives it undeniable gravitas.

Sep Vanmarcke finished on the podium at Omloop for IPT in 2021, while Hugo Hofstetter’s sixth place at Kuurne a year earlier remains the team’s best result there. Despite the strong opposition, there’s a belief within IPT that being competitive across the weekend’s doubleheader is possible.

“I think we have assembled a strong and balanced squad,” says Steve Bauer, IPT’s Sporting Manager. “There’s always the unknown at this time of the year in terms of how we stack up against the big teams and the main favorites, but there’s a certain confidence in our riders.

“We can go in with ambition: we know what we have to do and where we need to be.”

The unpredictability of both races calls for multiple options. At Omloop, Jake Stewart (who finished second ahead of Vanmarcke four years ago), Riley Sheehan, and Joe Blackmore will provide leadership. If Kuurne comes down to a bunch sprint, Ethan Vernon and Hofstetter will get called upon, but Stewart and Sheehan could also figure should it be a more selective race.

Experience provided by home rider Tom Van Asbroeck at Omloop (already a 10-time starter in the race) and Guillaume Boivin (set to line up for his seventh Omloop and ninth Kuurne participations) will be invaluable, too.

“Strength in numbers is going to be important, it always is in these races,” adds Bauer. “I think we have more depth than we’ve had before, but it’s also youthful depth. Joe and Riley are still finding their capacities in the big game, but we believe in them. Jake’s done well at Omloop before, too. That’s a good blend of experience and youthful ambition.”

Having missed Opening Weekend through injury in 2024, Wednesday’s Omloop recon provided welcome insight for Stewart. “I haven’t been on these roads for the best part of two years now, so it was nice to refresh the memory,” says the British rider. “I remembered it all pretty well, which was good to know ahead of the weekend.”

Stewart has already outlined his form this season. He finished second in the final stage of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in early February, and then came seventh in a tough and technical opening stage at Tour de la Provence a few days later.

He adds: “It’s exciting that I’ve had such a good run into the Classics: no injury, no illness, and really good consistency. I’m super excited to get stuck in. We know that anything can happen in these races – the priority on Sunday will be dropping Ethan off for the final, but I’ve proven already this season that if I need to sprint I can.

“Valencia and Provence were two good races to start the season – they weren’t too long, so I didn’t go too deep there. Coming to Belgium for Opening Weekend, you need to still be fresh physically and mentally.”

Sheehan may be preparing for just the second Opening Weekend of his career, but the 24-year-old hopes that he has already got under the skin of the races.

The American says: “Belgian races with the bad weather and bad roads: I like them a lot! I only finished one of them [Kuurne] last year, but it was good. It set the standard for me and I know what level I have to be at here. From there, I had a piece of the puzzle figured out, and that is a big stepping stone.

“After Flanders last year [where he finished 13th] I’m pretty confident that these races can suit me well. I’m really motivated for them.”

Sheehan adds that the value of the Omloop recon should not be understated. “I was getting flashbacks to last year and refreshing the mind,” he says. “It was nice to see the course again and mentally prepare for the parcours.

“Since the race can be so unpredictable and chaotic, it’s all about understanding the parcours, trying to remember what you have next. It’s Belgium, around every corner is a surprise. Having it in the back of your mind helps. You’ve got to be ready for anything.”

IPT at Omloop Nieuwsblad (Saturday March 1)

Riders: Joe Blackmore (GBR), Guillaume Boivin (CAN), Matîs Louvel (FRA), Riley Pickrell (CAN), Riley Sheehan (USA), Jake Stewart (GBR), Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL)

IPT at Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne (Sunday March 2)

Riders: Guillaume Boivin (CAN), Hugo Hofstetter (FRA), Matîs Louvel (FRA), Michael Schwarzmann (GER), Riley Sheehan (USA), Jake Stewart (GBR), Ethan Vernon (GBR)

Sports Directors: Steve Bauer (CAN), Eric Van Lancker (BEL), Pat McCarty (USA)