Gent-Wevelgem Race Preview: After final Saturday’s Milano-Sanremo, the WorldTour strikes north to Belgium, the house of the cobbled Classics. Gent-Wevelgem is that this Sunday, it’s not as huge as De Ronde van Vlaanderen, however when you take the win ‘In Flanders Fields’ you’ll be a hero in Belgium (nicely, Flanders) endlessly. Right here is the PEZ 2024 race preview.
Traditional cobbles – Gent-Wevelgem
Gent-Wevelgem is just not a Monument, however it’s a actual Traditional. A younger race at ‘solely’ 90 years-old (Milano-Sanremo is 117 years-old), not so long as Flanders at 253 kilometres to De Ronde at 271 and has fewer cobbles and sharp Flemish climbs, however when you take a look at the listing of winners, they’re all ‘names’. In 2022 we noticed an historic victory for Biniam Girmay. Final 12 months, Wout van Aert ‘gave’ his Jumbo-Visma teammate Christophe Laporte the win. This 12 months Mathieu van der Poel is the person to observe, however there are others who can win after which there’s at all times the presumably of a bunch dash in Wevelgem.
A small group end like 2022?
A little bit of Gent-Wevelgem historical past
The primary Gent-Wevelgem was on ninth of September, 1934 and Gustave Van Belle was the solo winner after 120 flat kilometres, he received with a lead of 20 seconds. In these days Gent-Wevelgem was organised for novice riders by the newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen and Wevelgem was chosen for the end as a result of it was the house city of the occasion’s first proprietor, native textile producer Georges Matthijs. The race was initially run as a tribute to Gaston Rebry, a local of Wevelgem, who was one of many stars of biking in Belgium within the Nineteen Thirties.
Gaston Rebry
The 1936 the race distance was elevated to 168km and Robert Van Eenaeme received. The race didn’t run in the course of the Second World Warfare, however when it made its return in 1945 as a race for professionals, it was Robert Van Eenaeme who received once more. It took ten days for the ultimate outcome to be introduced because the officers wanted a better inspected of the photograph end. Gaston Rebry was by then president of ‘Het Vliegend Wiel’ and the race director. In 1947 Gent–Wevelgem was given its Spring date on the calendar and gained status as Rebry managed to line up Italian biking icons Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, who attracted huge numbers of spectators. Within the Nineteen Fifties, Sixties and Seventies, Belgian biking legends Rik Van Looy and Eddy Merckx every received the race 3 times. Van Looy’s victory in 1962 was particular as a result of he additionally received the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in the identical 12 months. Two years later Jacques Anquetil was solely the second non-Belgian winner after Rolf Graf of Switzerland in 1954.
Jacques Anquetil received in 1964
From the eighties Gent-Wevelgem was extra a race for the sprinters. Guido Bontempi, Sean Kelly and Mario Cipollini have been all winners. The Italian received Gent-Wevelgem 3 times, which makes him one of many report holders. In 2003 the race now not began in Gent, however in Deinze. That 12 months Andreas Klier received, however the subsequent 12 months a younger Tom Boonen took the primary of his three wins in his breakthrough season. His three wins in 2003, 2011 and 2012, additionally makes him a report holder. 2011 was additionally the 12 months that the race was included within the WorldTour and in 2014, the race was formally renamed Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, a reference to the well-known conflict poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, written by the Canadian John McCrae. The identify can be a reference to the route because it goes by way of quite a few necessary areas of the First World Warfare. The race nonetheless doesn’t begin in Gent or Deinze, however in Ieper (Ypres) since 2020.
The beginning is now in Ieper (Ypres)
There isn’t one report holder, as a result of Robert Van Eenaeme, Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Mario Cipollini, Tom Boonen and Peter Sagan have all received Gent-Wevelgem 3 times.
Eddy Merckx received in Wevelgem 3 times
In 2022 a thinned out peloton headed for the Kemmelberg, the place the race correct would actually start. Wout van Aert put the hammer down and just a few favourites may observe, however the race was nonetheless collectively. A number of riders managed to slide away: Christophe Laporte, Jasper Stuyven, Biniam Girmay and Dries van Gestel. Rasmus Tiller and Greg Van Avermaet noticed the hazard and tried to cross to the 4, however couldn’t. Going into the final 15 kilometres, the leaders had 15 seconds and would struggle for the win in Wevelgem. Laporte was pressured to the entrance and Girmay took benefit and was the primary to dash. Girmay held Laporte off for a historic victory: The primary African winner of a Spring Traditional.
Jumbo-Visma 2023 domination
Final 12 months Wout van Aert gave teammate Christophe Laporte a gift after a powerful two-man time trial. Gent-Wevelgem is a real Traditional the place something can occur. This Sunday the sprinters may need it their manner, or possibly Mathieu van der Poel will add his identify to the winners listing.
Final ten winners Gent-Wevelgem
2023: Christophe Laporte (Fra)
2022: Biniam Girmay (Eri)
2021: Wout van Aert (Bel)
2020: Mads Pedersen (Den)
2019: Alexander Kristoff (Nor)
2018: Peter Sagan (Slk)
2017: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel)
2016: Peter Sagan (Slk)
2015: Luca Paolini (Ita)
2014: John Degenkolb (Ger)
Gent-Wevelgem 2023
Gent-Wevelgem 2023
1. Christophe Laporte (Fra) Jumbo-Visma in 5:49:39
2. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
3. Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) Israel-Premier Tech at 1:56
4. Frederik Friston (Bel) Lotto Dstny
5. Mads Pedersen (Den) Trek-Segafredo.
In Flanders Fields
Parcours
The beginning of Gent-Wevelgem has not been in Gent for a very long time, and never Deinze any extra. Since 2020, Ieper (Ypres) in West Flanders has hosted the beginning. With its historical past and the enduring Menin Gate, Ieper is the best beginning place for Gent-Wevelgem ‘In Flanders Fields’, because the race is now formally known as, a reference to the conflict poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, written by the Canadian John McCrae. The race passes by way of quite a few necessary areas of the First World Warfare. The primary 100 kilometres are nearly flat, however the wind usually performs its half, so it can be crucial that the riders keep attentive. After the primary 100 kilometres and the passage by way of De Moeren, the place the wind at all times causes an upset, then the race is on.
Gent-Wevelgem 2024 map
De Moeren is the place the race can actually open up for the primary time. If not, then will probably be ‘full gasoline’ to the primary actual climbs. The Heuvelland has the climbs of the Scherpenberg and the Baneberg. Then, 85 kilometres from the end, it’s the Monteberg–Kemmelberg, up the Kemmel cobbles through the longer, however much less steep jap aspect of Belvedère.
Gent-Wevelgem 2024 profile
After these climbs, the race leaves West Flanders for a loop by way of Hainaut for 3 tough roads: Hill 63, Christmas Truce and The Catacombs. The peloton then returns to West Flanders for the finale. First for the second time the Monteberg and Kemmelberg. The Kemmel is then ridden for the third time through the Scherpenberg and the Baneberg. This time through the steeper west aspect of Ossuaire, the place the race might be determined. After the highest of the Kemmel, there are 34 kilometres to the end in Wevelgem. The highway nonetheless climbs a bit of, particularly the half simply after Iepre, however there aren’t any actual climbs. The end, because it has been for a few years, is on the Vanackerestraat in Wevelgem.
Sep Vanmarcke Unveils the Secrets and techniques of the Kemmelberg | Gent-Wevelgem Insider’s Information
The Favourites
Through the years, the highest males have missed Gent-Wevelgem out of their race schedule, however this 12 months sees a powerful start-list. Gent-Wevelgem can have many outcomes. Final 12 months, Van Aert and Laporte attacked within the hills and rode collectively to the end in Wevelgem. Then, like within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, favourites may all take a look at one another and shock winner may slip away.
Barry Hoban received from a bunch of favourites in 1974
Mathieu van der Poel didn’t begin ‘In Flanders Fields’ within the final three editions. In his first two years as a highway professional, MvdP completed 4th and ninth, then he modified his race program which didn’t embody Gent-Wevelgem. This 12 months the World champion is again in West Flanders. His season solely began final week in Milan-Sanremo and now he can be racing all of the Classics by way of to Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Nearly each race Mathieu van der Poel begins, he needs to be one of many prime favourites and when he units his sights on one thing… he succeeds. Final weekend in Milan-Sanremo, Van der Poel was sturdy and closed Tadej Pogačar down on the Cipressa and the Poggio, he then labored onerous for his sprinter, Jasper Philipsen, to take the win. Van der Poel will need to cut up the race on the climbs. This should be his tactic or he may lose out to the fast-finishers. A solo end or from a small group can be what the World champion will need.
Mathieu van der Poel should be the highest favorite
Van der Poel’s Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate, Jasper Philipsen will nonetheless be on the crest of his Sanremo profitable wave. The Belgian held on to the favourites on the Sanremo climbs and had the legs for the win after almost 300 very quick kilometres. Philipsen can deal with the cobbles and climbs and if he’s nonetheless on the entrance on the end, he can be onerous to beat. The Alpecin crew has Philipsen for a dash and Van der Poel to separate the race on the cobbles and climbs. Might this convey inside crew battle?
If Jasper Philipsen is there on the end…
Olav Kooij is quick sufficient to battle with Philipsen and some other sprinter, if they will maintain on. The Poggio was simply an excessive amount of for the younger Dutchman, however in Gent-Wevelgem he has extra likelihood to climate the storms. As in Sanremo, Wout van Aert won’t be there, so Kooij ought to be Visma | Lease a Bike chief, together with Laporte. Final 12 months Kooij confirmed what he can do, however Traditional winner is one other arrange the ladder. Kooij is among the finest sprinters, very near Philipsen, however is he a Classics winner but?
Olav Kooij has had 4 wins this season already
Visma | Lease a Bike additionally has final 12 months’s winner, Christophe Laporte. Gent-Wevelgem was the 30 year-old Frenchman first Traditional win. It was mentioned that Wout van Aert ‘gifted’ the win to Laporte, however Laporte has confirmed that he was a worthy winner, following up with victories in Dwars door Vlaanderen – A travers la Flandre, two phases within the Dauphiné and the European championships. In Milan-Sanremo, the Frenchman was not at 100% and didn’t end, however he would hope to be match for Sunday. Tiesj Benoot can be a person to observe for Visma | Lease a Bike..
If totally match, Christophe Laporte may do a double
One other sprinter that might be on the end might be Tim Merlier. He’s Soudal Fast-Step’s prime sprinter, however it’s unlikely he can be driving the Giro d’Italia or the Tour de France once more this 12 months, so he should consider the flatter Classics. “Final 12 months I used to be excellent in Gent-Wevelgem. Solely the lights went out within the final 5 kilometres. For a similar cash, the race seems very in a different way and I nonetheless end on the rostrum. Then we communicate fully in a different way,” Merlier mentioned earlier this 12 months. His dash within the Nokere Koerse final week was unbeatable.
Tim Merlier took Nokere Koerse
Michael Matthews almost received Milano-Sanremo final Saturday, solely Philipsen bought the higher of him by the width of a tyre. The Australian has the shape, however he can even want luck. Jayco AlUla can even have Dylan Groenewegen, however he’ll battle on the climbs. He has began Gent-Wevelgem 5 instances and his finest outcome was forty fourth. Matthews needs to be the person to observe for the Australian crew.
Michael Matthews was very shut final week in Sanremo
Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen led a powerful crew in Milano-Sanremo, however he couldn’t compete within the remaining dash with Philipsen and Matthews. Jonathan Milan additionally didn’t have it on the Cipressa, however each ought to be again within the Gent-Wevelgem battle. Robust situations and a tough finale would go well with the Dane. Jasper Stuyven can be there to work for his leaders, however he may also play his personal card, if he’s allowed.
Lidl-Trek has sturdy crew behind Mads Pedersen
Laurence Pithie has been spectacular thus far this season together with his sturdy end. He’ll struggle to the tip with the opposite favourites, males like Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) and Matteo Trentin (Tudor). Pithie possibly doesn’t have the expertise within the Classics of the opposite favourites, however he has proven he has the ability within the remaining.
Laurence Pithie was sturdy in Kuurne, however missed the boat
Arnaud De Lie confirmed he can trip the cobbled climbs on the Muur within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Kemmelberg within the Koksijde Traditional. He additionally carried out nicely within the echelons and jumped solo from one echelon to a different. He missed travelling to Italy for Milan-Sanremo to trip Bredene and the GP Denain, as a result of he hadn’t recovered from his crash in Le Samyn. Now he appears to be at 100%, so ought to be a contender.
Arnaud De Lie
There are a number of out bets for Gent-Wevelgem. Luca Mozzato and Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Lodges), Jordi Meeus and Danny van Poppel (BORA-hansgrohe), John Degenkolb (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech) and Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) are all fast-finishers, if they’re nonetheless on the entrance in Wevelgem. Then there are the sturdy Classics riders who will need to make life as onerous as doable for the sprinters: Yves Lampaert (Soudal Fast-Step), Pierre Gautherat & Oliver Naesen (Decathlon AG2R), Joshua Tarling & Jonathan Narvaez (INEOS Grenadiers), Nils Politt & Antonio Morgado (UAE Group Emirates), Dries Van Gestel (TotalEnergies) and Jannik Steimle (Q36.5).
Van der Poel, Philipsen or?
The Favourites:
TOP: Mathieu van der Poel
Very Potential: Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen
Potential: Arnaud De Lie, Tim Merlier, Mads Pedersen and Michael Matthews
Perhaps: Jasper Stuyven, Laurence Pithie and Christophe Laporte.
# Preserve it PEZ for the Gent-Wevelgem race report on Sunday and all of the Traditional information in EUROTRASH Monday. #
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