Gent-Wevelgem

Long, dangerous, while still attractive; different from the Classic Brugge – De Panne tackled the previous Thursday; and, of course, more suited to the Northern Classics specialists, Gent-Wevelgem won’t still offer the women the chance to cover the gravel roads used by the men, yet it remains demanding (at over 160km) and significant nonetheless.

The main loop includes dual ascents to the climbs of Heuvelland, Scherpenberg, Baneberg and, most importantly, Kemmelberg, with its cobblestones and demanding ramps. The first passage will be preceded by the Monteberg; the second one includes the tough slopes of Ossuaire with 34km to go, where the agonising pursuit, or the winning breakaway, starts.