Gent-Wevelgem 2024 – Analysing the contenders

The spring Classics wave is quickly building with Gent-Wevelgem set to add to the Belgian swell on Sunday as rivals continue to jostle for peak takeoff positions as the cobbles, climbs, and at times fierce winds, add to the chaos and excitement of the race from Ypres to Wevelgem.

The races on the run in to the 253km men’s event and 171.2km women’s event have already shone a spotlight on some key riders who are expected to be chasing the win on Sunday. The world champions Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) are of course two names that are impossible to ignore, though with the strength of their team options, including Jasper Philipsen and Lorena Wiebes, you can’t even be assured that the rainbow clad riders will be their top team card on race day.

Then, of course, there are plenty of rivals lined up who will be looking to not only take a win but also build momentum to the next Monument on the calendar, the Tour of Flanders. In the men’s race they will of course include Visma-Lease a Bike, who may not have Wout van Aert on the squad this year but no doubt will want to try and defend the title won by Christophe Laporte, even if it is perhaps with another rider. While in the women’s event Lidl-Trek and Elisa Balsamo are on a roll after the Italian claimed victory at both Trofeo Alfredo Binda and Brugge-De Panne. Could it perhaps turn into three in a row in Wevelgem?

As the anticipation builds toward Sunday, Cyclingnews delves further into the top contenders.

World Champion Lotte Kopecky has had a strong start to her a season with an overall victory at UAE Tour followed by second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and a pair of wins at Strade Bianche and Nokere Koerse. She also filled in for her injured teammate Chantal van den Broek-Blaak at Trofeo Alfredo Binda where she finished second behind Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek).