| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Early-April |
| Region | Flanders, Belgium |
| English name | Ghent-Wevelgem |
| Local name(s) | Gent–Wevelgem (Dutch) |
| Nickname(s) | Ghent-Bubblegum |
| Discipline | Road |
| Competition | UCI World Tour |
| Type | Classic one-day race |
| Race director | Luc Gheysens |
| History | |
| First edition | 1934 |
| Editions | 73 (as of 2011) |
| First winner | Gustave Van Bell (BEL) |
| Most wins | 3 wins: Robert Van Eenaeme (BEL) Rik Van Looy (BEL) Eddy Merckx (BEL) Mario Cipollini (ITA) |
| Most recent | Tom Boonen (BEL) |
The Gent–Wevelgem is a Flanders Classics cycle road race held in Belgium in early April each year. The event was first run in 1934, and it is often called the sprinters' classic due to its flat finishing terrain.[1] Its early-season date means riders are often tested by wind and rain. Further challenges include a number of climbs, including two ascents of the cobbled, difficult, and often selective Kemmelberg.
Indeed, the selectivity of the course means that very few editions of Gent–Wevelgem actually end in a bunch sprint. An smaller elite group (including some sprinters) often contest the finish line. In recent years, the race has been situated on the Wednesday between de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris–Roubaix, and while not officially part of the Vlaamse Wielerweek (Flemish cycling week), it can be seen as an unofficial finale of the series of cycling classics in Flanders. In 2010 the fixed date of the race shifted from the Wednesday after the Ronde van Vlaanderen to the Sunday before the Ronde.[2] Since 2005 the race has been part of the UCI ProTour,[1] and since 2009, part of the UCI World Ranking calendar.
Despite its name, the race hasn't started in Ghent since 2004, traditionally beginning on the market square of nearby Deinze. The course then sets westward towards the Belgian coastal region, after which it moves southwards near the French border towards the Monteberg and Kemmelberg, before heading towards Wevelgem. The 73rd edition was held on March 27, 2011, and covered 219 kilometres.
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The first edition was played on September 9, 1934 as a junior race for a distance of 120 km. Its origin is a tribute to Gaston Rebry (Wevelgem natural) who in that year to the win in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. After the Second World War took place, and for professionals, on July 29, 1945 for a distance of 200 km. and organization, to this day, the cycling club "Het Wiel Vliegende."
In 1947 the Gent-Wevelgum joined the timing of the "spring classics" and constitutes, for the period 1957-1959 the "Trofee van Vlaanderen (Flanders Trophy) next to the Omloop Het Volk.
The competition started in 2004, despite the name, but not in Ghent in nearby Deinze. Gent–Wevelgem is the first race toward the coast, which ends must be followed. Near Veurne (the nuts) broke open the game normally. Because of the often strong winds on the flat Flemish roads often develop fans. The main obstacle is the Kemmelberg, a difficult climb with cobblestones which must be climbed twice, but equally notorious for its dangerous descent, where many a cyclist dropped. Often is the two-part Monteberg Kemmelberg the breakpoint of the match. Furthermore, the relatively flat trail, which is often in Wevelgem race ends in a sprint of a small group or a larger group.
From the 2008 edition of the trail is substantially modified and the riders not to the coast, but drive a detour along the Steenstraat (Bovekerke-Works) and then approach Furnes from the polders in place from the direction of the coast. Then comes the Hill Zone, with the Vidaigneberg, the Rodeberg (Belgium), Monteberg (to the summit and then left), a detour and Kemmelberg approached from the village of Kemmel. The descent is made along a detour to rebuilt the dangerous descent and avoid potential crashes. Then this hill area repeated in the same order and then drive toward Wevelgem. The new trail has been adopted by most riders. Some believed that the launching of the Kemmelberg nervous, but this is according to race director Hans De Clercq normal and part of the course.
In 2010 another major change was made. Not only is the price of the Wednesday between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix on the cycling calendar changed to the Sunday for Saturday. Also, many more slopes inserted before the Kemmel climb, Scherpenberg, Mont des Cats, Berthe, Black Mountain, Baneberg, and then Rodeberg Monteberg and Kemmelberg. This series of hills the riders climb twice before hitting the finish in Wevelgem cycling.
It is currently held on the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders, and although not officially part of the Flemish Cycling Week, can be seen as a final unofficial series of classics in Flanders.
Since 2005 is part of the UCI ProTour and the 2009 UCI World Ranking.
The first race was in 1934, and was held for junior riders. The second edition in 1935 (also for juniors) went through the Flemish Ardennes with climbs such as the Kwaremont, Kluisberg and Tiegemberg.
From 1936 to 1939 the race opened to independent amateur riders. It went directly from Ghent and Kortrijk then followed local rounds including the significant Mountain Lauw.
In 1945, after the Second World War, Ghent-Wevelgem became a race for professionals. A completely new route traveled through the Flemish Ardennes to Wevelgem and then looped by the Flemish hills. The Edelareberg, Hoppenberg, Kwaremont, Zwarteberg (Black Mountain) and Rodeberg (Red Mountain) featured along the way. In 1947 and 1948 the route followed the coast.
From 1949 to 1954 the Flemish Ardennes (Calvarieberg, Kwaremont) returned, followed by the Heuvelland (Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg, Slope of Mesen). In 1955 the Kluisberg and Kemmelberg were added. The road on the Kemmelberg was still unpaved. In 1956 the Eikenberg was included.
In 1957, Tour of Flanders, Het Volk, and Gent–Wevelgem were raced together, and riders vied for a joint prize, the "Trophy of Flanders." At this time, the Gent–Wevelgem added climbs in French Flanders (Black Mountain, Catsberg, Kite Mountain, Kasselberg) as precursors to the Kemmelberg. In 1958, these Franco-Flemish climbs were not included: the border crossing meant too many administrative burdens. After the run-up to the coast, the route followed only the Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg and Kemmelberg in the Hills.
In 1960 scheduling conflicts marked the end of the Trophy of Flanders. At this time the lower prestige Gent–Wevelgem placed itself between more famous classics. This year, besides the climbs of Geraardsbergen, Kwaremont, and Kluisberg Tiegemberg in the Flemish Ardennes, are the Vidaigneberg, Kemmelberg and Slope of Mesen in the Hills.
In 1961 the Gent–Wevelgem implemented a two-day course. The first day of the Ghent and Antwerp to Gent–Wevelgem half days with only slopes in the hilly country (Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg, Kemmelberg, Slope of Mesen).
From 1962 to 1976 Gent–Wevelgem was raced via the coast to the hilly country, with the Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg and Kemmelberg as fixed venues, sometimes supplemented with Monteberg, Baneberg, Sulferberg, Goeberg, Suikerberg (Sugar Mountain), as well as the climbs of Nieuwkerke, Geluveld, Crow Mountain or Scherpenberg. This also applies to the years 1978 to present. In the period 1993 to 1995, the Franco-Flemish slopes were again inserted, but in 1996 the traditional route was restored. The Flemish Ardennes are not affected because the roots of Gent–Wevelgem and because the riders wanted to keep it.
In 1977 the course changed radically and the Flemish Ardennes was done with 11 significant climbs (including Edelareberg, Kattenberg, Varent, Kluisberg and Tiegemberg). Also in the 1976 Tour of Flanders with the Koppenberg was on the race calendar, while in Gent–Wevelgem the Steengat climb was featured.
| # | Country | Victories |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Belgium | 47 |
| 2. | Italy | 6 |
| 3. | Netherlands | 5 |
| 4. | France | 3 |
| 5. | Germany | 2 |
| 5. | Norway | 2 |
| 6. | Austria | 1 |
| 6. | Denmark | 1 |
| 6. | Ireland | 1 |
| 6. | Spain | 1 |
| 6. | Switzerland | 1 |
| 6. | United Kingdom | 1 |
| 6. | United States | 1 |
| 6. | Uzbekistan | 1 |
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