It’s undergone a rebrand, ditching its traditional name of Gent-Wevelgem for the long-winded title of ‘Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem’, but this Belgian Classic remains very much the same as ever.
Over the years Gent-Wevelgem has established a unique identity in the spring calendar, defined by a different set of climbs (especially the Kemmelberg), weather conditions (the wind often shapes the result), and different character to the other cobbled Classics.
The start has moved from Ypres to Middelkerte, but the nature of the route remains familiar, with nine cobbled climbs including three ascents of the Kemmelberg, plus Plugstreets gravel roads and exposed De Monde section, where wind can wreak havoc.
It’s a difficult race to predict, and more open than many of the other Classics. Neither Tadej Pogačar nor Mathieu van der Poel have ever won here, and neither did Fabian Cancellara, meaning many riders who struggle to win the other cobbled races may fancy their chances here.
CONTENDERS
MATHIEU VAN DE POEL
Van der Poel is on a mission this spring to add what few spring Classics aren’t yet on his palmarès. First, last month, he won Omloop Nieuwsblad; now he has Gent-Weveglem on his sights. This has been the one-that-got-away for Van der Poel so far, having been narrowly outsprinted for the win by Mads Pedersen at his only appearance here in the last six years in 2023, and placing fourth and ninth the two years before, prior to becoming the unstoppable machine we know him to be today. Gent-Wevelem is a more complicated Classic for the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider to win, with a long flat finishing section rendering his typical long-range solo attack more difficult to pull off, but if anyone can win that way, it’s him. He won E3 Saxo Classic on Friday in a tactical masterclass after apparently being seemingly caught by his the chasers.
Van der Poel won the E3 Saxo Classic for a third year running on Friday (Image: Jasper Jacobs / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)
WOUT VAN AERT
After a slow start to the season, there are signs that Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) is coming into top form just in-time for his main targets of the Flemish Classics. After a few lean years, Van Aert is desperate to get back to winning ways, starting by adding a second career Gent-Wevelgem title to the one he won back in 2021. Though not able to follow Tadej Pogačar’s attack on the Cipressa at Milan-Sanremo last weekend, the way he managed to break clear of the chasing pack in the final kilometres and hold on for third place suggests he’s got great legs, and has the versatility to win this race either as an attacker or from a sprint.
Van Aert was 10th at Strade Bianche earlier in March (Image: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
JONATHAN MILAN
Although Gent-Wevelgem has traditionally been known as a sprinter’s Classic, it hasn’t actually finished in a mass bunch finish since the 2019 edition won by Alexander Kristoff. Nevertheless, there’s always a chance that the long flat run-in will see the race come back together, and in such an event, Lidl-Trek rider Jonathan Milan would arguably be the favourite. He’s been the most prolific sprinter of the season so far, with six victories to his name already, and has an impressive and ever-improving record at this race having placed fifth in 2024 and third last year.
Milan made a winning start to 2026 at the AlUlA Tour in January (Image: ASO)
MATTHEW BRENNAN
The wildcard in the pack at Gent-Wevelgem will be Matthew Brennan. The 20-year-old’s victory at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne has whet the appetite for what he can do in the major spring Classics, and while illness forced him out of Milan-Sanremo, he’s all set to ride this Sunday. On paper this a race that should suit his attributes, especially the fast sprint he packs, while his aforementioned victory during Opening Weekend proved he can handle the cobbles. Though he may be playing more of a support role for his senior teammates Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte, Brennan is another great option at Visma-Lease a Bike’s disposal.
Brennan won at the Tour Down Under in January (Image: Zac Williams / SWpix.com)
OTHER CONTENDERS
Though it’s been several years since Gent-Wevelgem ended in a large group sprint, that hasn’t deterred many of the peloton’s top sprinters. Jasper Philipsen is set to ride an alternative option for Alpecin-Premier Tech to Van der Poel, and will be hoping to improve upon his career-best performance here of fourth in 2024; as is Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep), hoping to return to the form that saw him claim two stage wins at Volta ao Algarve, plus the in-form Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost) and Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM).
Read more: Back on the Wolf Tracks: Will Soudal Quick-Step regain their cobbled Classics crown?
Biniam Girmay (NSN) is a sprinter with great credentials at this race having won it in 2022, albeit from a late breakaway rather than a sprint, while Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) has the ideal mixture of sprinting speed, power and form to excel at Gent-Wevelgem. As does the experienced Matteo Trentin (Tudor), evidenced by his two podium finishes here in 2020 and 2021, and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarché), although he’ll need to find some form.
As for those who won’t be relying on a sprint finish, Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) returns to the cobbles, hoping to make amends after missing the moves at Milan-Sanremo. He’ll be hoping for a big performance as he builds towards his next big goal of the season, Paris-Roubaix.
Read more: Tower of power: Ganna eyes success at cobbled Classics
Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) and Aimé De Gendt (Pinarello Q36.5) are also dangerous attackers who will have to be marked.
PREDICTION
With such a strong team behind him, and parcours that suit him, we think Wout van Aert will find a way to defeat his great rival Mathieu van der Poel.
Cover Image: Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
