#IFF26 Gent Wevelgem 😉 2026! *** Mathieu van der Poel ** Wout van Aert- Philipsen * Laporte - F. Vermeersch - Lund This is a big race. A classic. 240 km with climbs, wind and plugstreets. I feel some think sometimes it is a bit like Kuurne+. Forget it. This is a race for the best. Very strong sprinters might dream but they must survive all the hard parts and the wind should be in their favour. Its not (spoiler.). Back to the race. The key part of the race is the climb of the Kemmelberg. A steep cobbled climb that hurt the legs. Especially after a hard race. In fact the part from 90 - 30 km to go is so hard it will take its toll. I expect a small group in the final and when they hit the last time Kemmel the strongest riders to go clear. Who are the strongest riders in this race: Wout and Mathieu. Like I already mentioned here, I think we’re in for a classic. I dont see anyone on the startlist matching these two. Visma have a strong team to support Wout. He should be their sole leader. Laporte will be of great help. I dont think Brennan will play a role today. He’s been sick and wants racing in the legs. Alpecin have Philipsen too, but I think he plays it more defensively and tries to be in the 2nd group. With Wout and Mathieu and the tailwind it could be a classic sprint a deux. Nailbiter incoming! Mathieu wants to win to add this one to his palmares. Wout wants to win it for his confidence and say goodbye to the Flanders sprint trauma. Bring it on!
