It may not be the official start to the inaugural Women's WorldTour but UCI 1.1 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite Women has drawn in a world-class field because of its stature as the kick-off to the Belgian Classics. Cyclingnews picked out a series of women to watch at the highly anticipated European opener.
Anna van der Breggen (Rabo Liv)
Anna van der Breggen's upset victory over the dominant Boels Dolmans team at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last year makes her a top favourite to win the race for a second consecutive year. The Rabo Liv rider sprinted to the win ahead of Ellen Van Dijk, while Lizzie Armitstead and Chantal Blaak were left for third and fourth. Always a strong and smart contender, Van der Breggen will have the backing of a powerful team that includes Lucinda Brand, Katarzyna Niewiadoma and new cyclo-cross world champion Thalita De Jong.
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Emma Johansson and Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5)
A two-time winner of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2010 and 2011, Johansson will certainly be one to watch in the 2016 edition of the race. She is new to the team this year and eager to prove her value at Wiggle High5. She won't be the only rider on her team to line-up as a favourite, though. The team's other newcomer, Amy Pieters, won the race in 2014, and Elisa Longo Borghini is always one to watch.
"Obviously, I just love the Spring Classics. It's close to my home in Belgium," Johansson said in a team press release. "I've won Het Nieuwsblad two times before so it's obviously a race that suits me, and I have a really strong team.
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