Men Elite race info

Course
Ghent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields starts in Ypres and reaches its conclusion on the Vanackerestraat in Wevelgem. In the first part of the race, the peloton heads towards Veurne, where the famous Moeren stands on the programme. The riders then set course for the Heuvelland where, along the way, they will encounter the Monteberg, the Baneberg, the Scherpenberg and, last but not least, the Kemmelberg. The Plugstreets and numerous monuments dedicated to WWI make this race through Flanders Fields one that is unique in the calendar. Last year, Biniam Girmay made cycling history in Wevelgem by becoming the first African rider to win a spring classic.
Start: Menin Gate in Ypres - 10:50
Finish: Vanackerestraat in Wevelgem - around 16:48
Distance: 260,9 km

Fan guide
Looking for all the practical information about Gent-Wevelgem? Then download our free fan guide below. In this guide, you can consult the timetable and road map, and you can also read all about mobility and the not-to-be-missed start presentations. Read on quickly and be prepared for the start!

Participants
Who will follow in the footsteps of Biniam Girmay on Sunday 26 March? Discover below the provisional start list for a new edition of Gent-Wevelgem.
Results
In 2022, a piece of cycling history was written between Ypres and Wevelgem. The 84th edition of Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields broke open during the first climb of the Kemmelberg. It was Greg Van Avermaet who was first to try to shake things up among the favourites. From then on, there was attack after attack. Wout van Aert, among others, tried it, but that group was caught. Shortly after the passage in Ypres, the break occurred. A leading group of four got away and would sprint for victory in Wevelgem. It was the Eritrean Biniam Girmay who proved to be the fastest, and thus became the first African cyclist ever to win a Flemish spring classic.

Programme
On Sunday 26 March, the Westhoek will be completely under the spell of Gent-Wevelgem. With seven races in Flanders Fields, there is plenty going on in both Ypres and Wevelgem. Discover the programme for a well-filled day of racing below.
The Grote Markt in Ypres will once again be the place to be on Sunday 26 March. After we have introduced all the professional teams one by one on the starting podium, we will fire the starting shot under the Menin Gate for a new edition of Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields. Ypres will be under the spell of cycling all day as, in addition to the professional races, five youth categories will also give their best in and around the City of Peace.
7:30: Men U19 team presentation at Grote Markt
8:15: Men U23 team presentation at Grote Markt
8:40: Start of the GP Andre Noyelle Men U19 at Menin Gate
9:00: Men Elite team presentation on the Grote Markt with Linde Merckpoel, Max Vryens and DJ ProudMich
10:00: Start of Kattekoers Ieper Men U23 at Menin Gate
10:00: Start of the Women U17 - local circuit in Boezinge (sub-municipality of Ypres)
10:50: Start of the Men Elite
11:45: Start of the Women U19 - local circuit in Boezinge (sub-municipality of Ypres)
12:00: Finish Men U19
12:10: Women Elite team presentation on the Grote Markt with Linde Merckpoel, Max Vryens and DJ ProudMich
13:50: Start of the Women Elite
14:26: Finish Men U23
14:30: Start of the Men U17 - local circuit in Boezinge (sub-municipality of Ypres)
16:14: Men Elite passage on the Grote Markt & race on big screens
17:26: Women Elite passage on the Grote Markt & race on big screens
On Friday 24 March you can attend the Gent-Wevelgem Opening night in the centre of Wevelgem:
- 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Registration of participants for the relay race
- 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Relay race for associations on an illuminated and decorated circuit
- 8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Free ride for those who are not members of an association
- 9:15 p.m.: Podium award ceremony
- 9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Drinks with music at Guldenbergplein
You can register for the relay race here.
On Saturday 25 March, it’s time for a ride steeped in history through Flanders’ fields. Do you fancy warming up the Kemmelberg and Plugstreets one day before the pros during the Gent-Wevelgem Cyclo? Hurry up and sign up here!
Experience Gent-Wevelgem from the fan zone on the Guldenbergplein in Wevelgem on Sunday 26 March:
10:00: Opening of the fan zone Guldenbergplein
11:28: Passage through Moorsele Men Elite
11:38: Passage through Gullegem Men Elite
13:00: Balance bike competition
16:48: Earliest anticipated finish Men Elite
18:04: Earliest anticipated finish Women Elite
20:00: End of the Guldenbergplein programme
On Sunday 26 March we are organising an Early riders balance bike competition in Wevelgem for the very youngest cycling talents. Would you like to give your son or daughter a unique experience in the professional setting of Gent-Wevelgem? We have four age categories:
- Boys born in 2018 or 2019
- Boys born in 2020 or 2021
- Girls born in 2018 or 2019
- Girls born in 2020 or 2021
The first balance bike race will start at 13:00. Those who are registered can sign in between 12:00 and 12:45 in the arrival zone on the Vanackerestraat in Wevelgem. Please note that wearing a helmet is mandatory for all participants. After the race, we will reward all the cyclists with a goodie bag, which they receive on the official Gent-Wevelgem podium.
After the start under the Menin Gate in Ypres, the men's peloton will head to Moorsele, where they will race via Ledegemstraat to Sint-Jansstraat before heading to Gullegem via Secretaris Vanmarckelaan. The riders are expected there around 11:30.
Local cafés and associations will provide drink and food stands at the intersection Sint-Jansstraat and Warandestraat from 10:30. The street band of 'Kunst naar Vermogen' will provide music and Streetmagic Joppe, GameBoy and De Poetsploeg will provide ambiance. Thanks to Games Club 13, there will also be children's entertainment and you can watch the race on a big screen.
After passing through Moorsele, the riders ride via Hondschotestraat to the Dorpsplein and Bissegemstraat in Gullegem, before leaving Wevelgem until the final kilometers via the Rijksweg.
Also in Gullegem, cafes and associations will provide drinks and food. De Twoapegerapte provide the atmosphere. Marcel Cyclette, La mer Perdue and Games Club 13 will provide entertainment for young and old. There is no need to miss anything from the race here.

Discover what we have in store to combine enjoyment and networking during Gent-Wevelgem 2023. Read on and discover our VIP formulas. Ready for an unforgettable experience in the middle of the race?

On Saturday 25 March, you can explore the circuit of the spring classic between Ypres and Wevelgem for yourself. Gent-Wevelgem Sportive is the ride where world history and sporting challenge go hand in hand. Register now and test your legs on the Kemmelberg, one day before the pros.
