Gent - Wevelgem
The event was first run in 1934, and it is often called the sprinters' classic due to its flat finishing terrain. 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. 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. Race Map and Profile
Previous winners 2000 Geert Van Bondt (BEL) Farm Frites 2001 George Hincapie (USA) US Postal 2002 Mario Cipollini (ITA) Acqua & Sapone-Cantina Tollo 2003 Andreas Klier (GER) Team Telekom 2004 Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step-Davitamon 2005 Nico Mattan (BEL) Davitamon-Lotto 2006 Thor Hushovd (NOR) Crédit Agricole 2007 Marcus Burghardt (GER) T-Mobile Team 2008 Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank 2009 Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) Team Columbia-High Road 2010 Bernhard Eisel (AUT) Team HTC-Columbia
Gent - Wevelgem News
The event was first run in 1934, and it is often called the sprinters' classic due to its flat finishing terrain. 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. 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. Race Map and Profile
Previous winners 2000 Geert Van Bondt (BEL) Farm Frites 2001 George Hincapie (USA) US Postal 2002 Mario Cipollini (ITA) Acqua & Sapone-Cantina Tollo 2003 Andreas Klier (GER) Team Telekom 2004 Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step-Davitamon 2005 Nico Mattan (BEL) Davitamon-Lotto 2006 Thor Hushovd (NOR) Crédit Agricole 2007 Marcus Burghardt (GER) T-Mobile Team 2008 Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank 2009 Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) Team Columbia-High Road 2010 Bernhard Eisel (AUT) Team HTC-Columbia
Gent - Wevelgem News