Annemiek Van Vleuten and Jasper Stuyven triumphed in Ninove ©Getty Images

Belgium’s Jasper Stuyven and The Netherlands’ Annemiek van Vleuten celebrated victories at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the opening spring classic of the season.

Stuyven featured as part of a strong breakaway group which developed with around 70 kilometres remaining of the men's edition of the 200km one-day race.

The eight-man move, which featured Belgium’s Yves Lampaert and Italy’s Matteo Trentin, were able to stay clear of the peloton.

The Muur van Geraardsbergen climb proved key at the conclusion of the race, as Lampaert and Stuyven surged away from their breakaway compatriots.

Stuyven emerged as the winner of a two-man sprint to the finish in Ninove, with the Trek-Segafredo rider triumphing in 5 hours, 3min and 24sec.

Lampaert finished as the runner-up on the same time, with Denmark’s Søren Kragh Andersen ending third at six seconds down.

World champion van Vleuten triumphed in the women's edition of the race, over 127km, after breaking clear of a select group of riders.

Annemiek Van Vleuten earned a solo victory in the women's event ©Getty Images
Annemiek Van Vleuten earned a solo victory in the women's event ©Getty Images

The Dutch rider attacked on the Muur-Kapelmuur inside the final 20 kilometres of racing, with the move putting her clear of the lead group.

Van Vleuten’s advantage continued to increase in the closing stages, with the Mitchelton Scott rider crossing the line in a time of 3:34:55.

The result marked her first victory since winning the world title at the end of last season.

Van Vleuten finished 42 seconds clear of Italy’s Marta Bastianelli, who was the runner-up.

The top three was completed by Floortje Mackaij, as the Dutch rider ended alongside Bastianelli.