Gent-Wevelgem, or its newly branded name that defo rolls off the tongue, In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem goes down Sunday, and Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx – Protime) is looking for a hat-trick. But there are plenty of challengers to spoil her parade, including a couple of Canadians that could shine. This year, Gent-Wevelgem has a shorter, slightly “easier” parcours.
At 134.9 km and without the De Moeren section, which is heavily exposed, the day leans toward speed rather than attrition. There’s still Plugstreets and the Kemmelberg, of course. The former is narrow and gravel, and can mess things up. The Kemmelberg is short but very steep.
The favourites
The run back to Wevelgem is flat and exposed, the kind of finale where positioning, wind and timing can still play huge factors.
Wiebes has won the last two, and whether it’s a reduced bunch or a large group sprint. The Dutch rider is the odds-on favourite. But she faces formidable opposition from riders like Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) or the young talent, Cat Ferguson from Movistar.
The Canucks
Canada has four women racing on Sunday: national champ Alison Jackson and teammate Simone Boilard (St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93), Maggie Coles-Lyster (Human Powered Health) and Éloïse Camiré (Minimax Cycling Team).
Of those four, Coles-Lyster and Jackson seem most suited to the race, and could have a big result. If Coles-Lyster is in the finale in a good position, she can use her incredible kick to snag a top result. Same with Jackson. If the former Paris-Roubaix winner is in a reduced group, look for some firepower.
She showed some spark attacking on the lone cobbled section at Tour de Bruges on Thursday.
Boilard hasn’t quite shown the form she’s had for the past few years, so she may be on duty to work for Jackson. This is Camiré’s second full year racing in Europe, her first on the Conti team. But every race brings more experience and speed for developing riders.
You can catch the women’s race at 9:40 a.m. EDT on FloBikes.com. As always, Canadian Cycling Magazine has you covered if you’re out for a ride!
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