The widow of the deceased Wouter Weylandt will perform the start of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad next Saturday. An Sophie Weylandt will be at the St.Peter's Square in Ghent, her and Wouter’s hometown, to start off the first springclassic of the year .

The idea came from race director Peter Van Petegem. "I'm glad they agreed, " Van Petegem said. "Wouter was not only a real Gentenaar. He also had the Omloop very close to the heart. The gesture of the family Weylandt has much sentimental value at the start of a new season. "

Wouter Weylandt died in May 2011 during the Giro d'Italia. The Belgian sprinter made al fatal fall during a descent.