Classic Gent-Wevelgem course as riders look to topple Vos

Gent-Wevelgem is set to be a significant challenge for the Women's WorldTour peloton, with many of the top riders in the world on the startline to contest the Belgian Classic.

Marianne Vos wins the 2021 Women's Gent-Wevelgem. Source: Velo

Watch all the action from Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields on SBS and SBS On Demand. The men’s race will lead off the coverage from 2245 AEDT, with the women’s race broadcast to follow the conclusion of the men’s event, likely starting at 0200 AEDT.

Sunday will mark the 11^th edition of the women’s race, staged over 159 kilometres over some of the toughest roads in Flanders, the windswept countryside has a reputation of producing worthy winners.

There is a barrage of climbing from 68 kilometres remaining, with seven climbs crammed into the next 35 kilometres.

The Scherpenberg (1.2km at 3.4%), the Baneberg (270m at 9%), the Monteberg (1.4 km at 4.7%) which serves as a prelude to the first ascent of the Kemmelberg.

The riders will first tackle the Belvédère side (600m at 10.8%) with the cobbled ‘hellingen’ of the Flanders region adding to the difficulty.  The peloton will then repeat the Scherpenberg and Baneberg, but this time finish with the longer Ossuaire side of the Kemmelberg where gradients peak at 21%.

There are 33 kilometres to race from the top of the Kemmelberg, which may be enough time for an organised chasing group behind to catch any attackers that have forced their way clear.

Contenders

Last year’s winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) will have her work cut out here to defend her title. There are a stunning array of potential winners on hand to try and dethrone the rider many regard as one of the greatest ever, with Vos only on her second race day of the road season after a heavy cyclocross focus in the European winter.

Grace Brown (Groupama-FDJ Aquitaine Futuroscope) shapes as Australia’s best chance with her wins at Brugge-De Panne in 2021 and Brabantes Pijl in 2020 labelling her as one of the best classics riders around. She ended her 2020 season early with her injured shoulder requiring surgery, and the long lay-off has meant a slower return to top level at the start of the season.

Australia’s best performance at this race came via Chloe Hosking in 2015, where she finished third. Brown’s been working her way into form after a crash at Nokere Koerse, if she feels good here, she’s the top chance to better that podium finish of any of the Aussies.

The recent classics on the women’s calendar have ended in sprints, perhaps due to the fact that most of the top teams have top-tier sprinters that they are keen to put their trust in. Brugge-De Panne, Noekere Koerse and Ronde van Drenthe were all sprints, albeit on easier courses than the one riders will face on Sunday.

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), Elisa Balsamo, Chloe Hosking (both Trek-Segafredo), Emma Norsgaard (Movistar), Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) and Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ) should be in the mix if a reduced bunch reaches the finish together, and might even be there if it is a harder race. Kopecky won in attacking style at Strade Bianche earlier this year and Bastianelli won Omloop het Hageland from a very select group.

Watch all the action from Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields on SBS and SBS On Demand. The men’s race will lead off the coverage from 2245 AEDT, with the women’s race broadcast to follow the conclusion of the men’s event, likely starting at 0200 AEDT.