Ghent-Wevelgem | Van der Poel competes against a host of top runners in a fantastic weekend – PREVIEW

Gent-Wevelgem often ends in a fast race with a large group, but last year there were two riders too strong for the rest. Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte took off together in the final lane of the Kemmelberg and were never seen in contention again.

Something wonderful happened in the end. Van Aart decided to leave the win to his teammate Laporte, so there was no sprint. Van Aart was subjected to a lot of criticism for this decision in his country, but he himself was clear. “Christop is a great teammate! It's incredible to win a race like this again.”

Although the name suggests otherwise, the starting point of Ghent-Wevelgem has not been in Ghent for some time. In this edition, riders ride their bikes in Ypres. The first 100 kilometers of the city – full of World War I stories – are still flat, and then there are a few passes over so-called connected streets, but then the race really begins.

Riders take the challenging trail through De Moeren, where the wind is free to move. And it looks like there really is wind on Sunday! Then there are the difficult slopes such as Scherpenberg, Baneberg, Monteberg and Kemmelberg. All hills must be conquered twice, and even the fearsome Kemmelberg hills three times.

After the Kimmel summit last time, we still had about 34 kilometers to go to the finish. This is the key for many teams to return their runner to a promising position. If too much space had been provided for a number of strong climbers, the bird might have flown away. Especially if that bird is called Van der Poel and if that bird leaves its cage early, just like it did during the E3 Saxo Classic.

Van Aart is missing from the start list this year and so is his eternal rival Matthew van der Poel Very happy to try to get the victory. The Dutchman has to make the difference on Mount Kimmel and has the advantage of three climbs, but he always has his team-mate Jasper Philipsen Behind the hand.

Philipsen won at Milan-San Remo, so will all the balls go to Van der Poel on Sunday? MVDP wrote off the E3 Saxo Classic on Friday, making Gent-Wevelgem one of the few spring races he has yet to win.

Despite Van Aert's absence, Visma-Lease a Bike sends a strong team to Ypres. Among other things Tisig girls, Christophe Laporte And Olaf Coy They are in the start menu. Pinot will have to rely on a smaller group, and Quigg is hoping for a quick sprint.

Last year's winner – Laporte – fell ill in Milan-San Remo so we will have to wait and see how his fitness is. Rather, it seems to be a matter of waiting for the European champion to start. The same applies to Pinot, who did not race after the opening weekend due to a fractured sacrum.

As for favorites, we can safely open a can of good runners. to Tim MerlierArnaud Demar, Jordi Meeus, Mark Cavendish, Fernando Gaviria, Jonathan MilanPascal Ackermann, Lauren Pechey and Dries van Gestel, the hills are usually very difficult. However, in a large group they can easily compete for victory.

If we look at runners who have already proven themselves in heavy classic work, we come up against a number of big favourites. Mads Pedersen (2020 winner) showed that he is in good shape with his fourth place in San Remo, Michael Matthews He even came in second there.

to Arnaud de Lee It's the season of peaks and valleys. The Belgian from Lotto Dstny had a bad fall in Le Samyn, was not fresh in Paris-Nice, but recovered with fourth place in the GP de Denain. The in-form De Lie is a serious contender for victory in all scenarios.

Two more tough guys we can't leave without a name Matej Mohorek And Stefan Kung. Mohoric was in top form all season, including a fifth place at Stradie Bianchi and a sixth place at Milan-San Remo. Swiss Kong was absent for a while due to special circumstances, but he returned to shine.

In a race like Gent-Wevelgem, there are only ten riders who can win the race, which is why we also mention a number of serious riders. What do you think, for example, of the previous winner Benjamin Jermaymagnus sheffield, Jasper StuyvenAnd Niels Bullitt, Alexander Kristof, Søren Wernskjöld, and Matthieu Trentin? Jermay is undoubtedly hoping for nice spring weather, as the rain was too much for him during the E3 Saxo Classic. It rolled unusually.

**** Jasper Philipsen
*** Mathieu van der Poel, Mads Pedersen
**Olaf Kooeg, Michael Matthews, Arnaud de Lee
* Matej Mohoric, Biniyam Jermay, Jonathan Milan, Tim Merlier