View source for Gent–Wevelgem

{{Short description|Belgian one-day road cycling race}}
{{Infobox cycling race
| name          = Gent–Wevelgem
| current_event = 2025 Gent–Wevelgem
| image        =File:Gent–Wevelgem logo.png
| date          = Late March
| region        = [[Flanders]], Belgium
| english       = Ghent-Wevelgem
| localnames    = Gent–Wevelgem {{in lang|nl}}
| nickname      = ''The Wind Classic'' <br> ''The Echelon Race''
| discipline    = [[Road bicycle racing|Road]]
| competition   = [[UCI World Tour]]<br>
[[UCI Women's World Tour]]
| type          = One-day
| organiser     = [[Flanders Classics]]
| director      = Luc Gheysens
| history       = Men's history
| first         = {{start date|1934}}
| number        = 87 (as of 2025)
| last          =
| firstwinner   = {{flagathlete|[[Gustave Van Belle]]|BEL}}
| mostwins      = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Robert Van Eenaeme]]|BEL}}}}<br />{{flagathlete|[[Rik Van Looy]]|BEL}}<br />{{flagathlete|[[Eddy Merckx]]|BEL}}<br /> {{flagathlete|[[Mario Cipollini]]|ITA}}<br />{{flagathlete|[[Tom Boonen]]|BEL}}<br />{{flagathlete|[[Peter Sagan]]|SVK}}<br />{{flagathlete|[[Mads Pedersen (cyclist)|Mads Pedersen]]|DEN}}<br>''(3 wins each)''
| mostrecent    = {{flagathlete|[[Mads Pedersen (cyclist)|Mads Pedersen]]|DEN}}
| history_women     = Women's history
| first_women       = {{start date|2012}}
| number_women      = 14 (as of 2025)
| last_women        = 
| firstwinner_women = {{flagathlete|[[Lizzie Armitstead]]|GBR}}
| mostwins_women    = <nowiki></nowiki>{{flagathlete|[[Kirsten Wild]]|NED}}<br />{{flagathlete|[[Lorena Wiebes]]|NED}}<nowiki> </nowiki>''(2 wins)''
| mostrecent_women  = {{flagathlete|[[Lorena Wiebes]]|NED}}
}}
'''Gent–Wevelgem''', officially '''Gent–Wevelgem – In Flanders Fields''',<ref name="In Flanders Fields"/> is a [[road bicycle racing|road cycling race]] in Belgium, held annually since 1934. It is one of the [[classic cycle races|classic races]] part of the [[Flemish Cycling Week]], run in late March on the last Sunday before the [[Tour of Flanders (men's race)|Tour of Flanders]].

Although the event is often called a ''[[cycling sprinter|sprinters' classic]]'' due to its flat finishing terrain,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Henrys|first1=Colin|title=Gent-Wevelgem 2015 preview: six fast men who could win the 'sprinter's Classic'|url=http://roadcyclinguk.com/racing/previews/gent-wevelgem-2015-preview-six-fast-men-win-sprinters-classic.html|access-date=28 March 2015|work=RoadCyclingUK|date=7 December 2015}}</ref> its early-season date means riders are often tested by wind and rain, as well as several climbs, including two ascents of the steep and fully cobbled [[Kemmelberg]].<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem"/> As a result, few editions of Gent–Wevelgem actually end in a bunch sprint – often the winner comes from a small group of escapees.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem"/>

In 2005 the race was included in the inaugural [[UCI ProTour]] and in 2011 in its successor, the [[UCI World Tour]].<ref name=GW1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uciprotour.com/templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp?MenuId=MjEzNQ |title=Gent–Wevelgem |access-date=2007-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208014546/http://www.uciprotour.com/templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp?MenuId=MjEzNQ |archive-date=2012-02-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2011 it is organized by [[Flanders Classics]], which also organizes the Tour of Flanders. Since 2012 a woman's event is held on the same day as the men's race, included in the inaugural [[UCI Women's World Tour]] in 2016.

Seven riders share the record of victories. Belgians [[Robert Van Eenaeme]], [[Rik Van Looy]], [[Eddy Merckx]] and [[Tom Boonen]], Italian [[Mario Cipollini]], Slovak [[Peter Sagan]] and Dane [[Mads Pedersen (cyclist)|Mads Pedersen]] each won the race three times. Sagan also achieved a record six podium finishes in the race.<ref name="hattrick"/>

==History==

===Amateur event===
[[File:Tour de France - Rebry, avec casquette sools.JPG|thumb|190px|left|The event was created in honour of [[Gaston Rebry]], although he never participated.]]
Created in 1934 and originally run by the newspaper [[Gazet van Antwerpen]], the race's finish town of [[Wevelgem]] was selected because it was the home town of the event's first owner, local textile manufacturer Georges Matthijs.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem" /> {{efn|The start location of Ghent was a logical economic choice. The city was home to several flax factories who traded with the many textile manufacturers in Wevelgem.<ref name=Geschiedenis />}} Its origin is a tribute to [[Gaston Rebry]], a native of Wevelgem, who was one of the stars of cycling in Belgium in the 1930s.

The first edition was run on 9 September 1934 as an amateur race on a flat, 120&nbsp;km route.<ref name=Geschiedenis>{{cite web|title=Geschiedenis|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/nl/elite-men/history/history|website=gent-wevelgem.be|access-date=1 December 2015|language=nl|archive-date=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110091249/http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/nl/elite-men/history/history|url-status=dead}}</ref> The race only had Belgian participants and was won by [[Gustave Van Belle]].{{efn|Van Belle died in 1954 when he tried to save his seven-year old son who had fallen in the [[Leie|Leie river]] in Ghent.<ref name=Geschiedenis />}} In 1936 the race distance was increased to 168&nbsp;km and [[Robert Van Eenaeme]] was the first professional winner.

===Spring classic===
The event had its only interruptions during World War II, and was subsequently organized again as a professional event in 1945. Gaston Rebry, by then president of bike club "Het Vliegend Wiel", was the new race director. Robert Van Eenaeme was declared winner of the first [[Post-World War II|post-War]] edition, surprisingly ten days after the race was over, after officials had closer inspected the [[photo finish]].<ref name=Geschiedenis />

In 1947 Gent–Wevelgem was granted a springtime date on the calendar and gained prestige. Organizer Rebry managed to line up Italian cycling icons [[Gino Bartali]] and [[Fausto Coppi]], who attracted vast numbers of spectators to the race.

In 1957 the race became part of the short-lived ''Trophy of Flanders'', a two-day formula with the [[Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|Omloop Het Volk]], in which Gent–Wevelgem was raced on Saturday, the Omloop on Sunday.<ref name=Geschiedenis /> In the 1960s the race garnered international prestige. Belgian cycling legends [[Rik Van Looy]] and [[Eddy Merckx]] won the race three times; [[Tour de France]] winner [[Jacques Anquetil]] was the first French winner in 1964.

The race was in a constant search of identity and re-invention, as reflected in the regular route and calendar changes. In 1977 the distance was 277&nbsp;km, the longest edition ever, featuring eleven climbs in the [[Flemish Ardennes]] and a double ascent of the [[Kemmelberg]].<ref name=Geschiedenis /> The arduous edition was won by [[Bernard Hinault]], claiming his first international success.

[[File:Mario CIPOLLINI 1.jpg|thumb|190px|right|Italian sprint star [[Mario Cipollini]] is one of seven riders who won the race three times.]]

===In Flanders Fields Classic===
Since the 1980s the race has built a reputation as a sprinters' classic. Italian sprint star [[Mario Cipollini]] claimed three victories.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Jeff|title=Tuscan encore|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2002/apr02/wevelgem02/?id=results|website=Cycling News|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mario Cipollini|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/en/elite-men/history/heroes/mario-cipollini|website=gent-wevelgem.be|publisher=Flanders Classics|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> [[Sean Kelly (cyclist)|Sean Kelly]], [[Guido Bontempi]], [[Djamolidine Abdoujaparov]] and [[Tom Steels]] are some of the other sprint specialists on the roll of honour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tom Steels ( 1996 en 1999 )|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/en/elite-men/history/heroes/tom-steels--1996-en-1999-|website=gent-wevelgem.be|publisher=Flanders Classics|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>

In 2003, Gent–Wevelgem abandoned its original start location [[Ghent]] and moved to suburban [[Deinze]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Jeff|title=65th Gent-Wevelgem - 1.HC. Belgium, April 9, 2003|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2003/apr03/wevelgem03/?id=results|website=[[Cycling News]]|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> [[Tom Boonen]] claimed his first classic victory in [[2004 Gent–Wevelgem|2004]], later proceeding to equal the winning record of three wins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tom Boonen scores his first classic victory. 07 april 2004|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/en/elite-men/news/2004-04/11/tom-boonen-scores-his-first-classic-victory|website=gent-wevelgem.be|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Jeff|title=66th Gent-Wevelgem - 1.HC. Belgium, April 7, 2004|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/springclassics04/wevelgem04/?id=results|website=Cycling News|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=Boonen surprised by Gent–Wevelgem victory. Belgian bridges seven year gap in finishing sprint|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonen-surprised-by-gent-wevelgem-victory/|website=Cycling News|date=27 March 2011 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Boonen wins again in Ghent-Wevelgem|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/boonen-wins-again-in-ghent-wevelgem-44416|website=Cycling Weekly|date=25 March 2012 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> For many decades, the race held a mid-week position between the [[Tour of Flanders (men's race)|Tour of Flanders]] and [[Paris–Roubaix]]. In 2011, the race was included in the [[UCI World Tour]] and returned to a Sunday date in the weekend between [[Milan–San Remo]] and the Tour of Flanders.{{efn|The slot formerly held by the [[Brabantse Pijl (men's race)|Brabantse Pijl]].}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kröner|first1=Hedwig|title=Preview. Gent – Wevelgem Gent–Wevelgem: to sprint or not to sprint?|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-upt/preview/|website=Cycling News|date=25 March 2011 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref>

Since 2015, the event is named ''Gent–Wevelgem – In Flanders Fields'', after the [[In Flanders Fields|iconic war poem]] by [[John McCrae]].<ref name="In Flanders Fields">{{cite web|title=In Flanders Fields|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/en/elite-men/history/in-flanders-fields|website=Gent–Wevelgem|publisher=Flanders Classics|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=2 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202091138/http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/en/elite-men/history/in-flanders-fields|url-status=dead}}</ref> Organizers wanted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I, as the [[Westhoek (region)|Westhoek region]] was at the heart of the war and is home to several [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] war graves. The [[2015 Gent–Wevelgem|2015 edition]] was won by [[Luca Paolini]], but was particularly memorable as it was run in abysmal weather, with strong winds scourging the peloton. Several riders were blown violently off their bikes, including [[Geraint Thomas]] when he was leading the breakaway group,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Gregor|title=Geraint Thomas blown off the road in Ghent-Wevelgem|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/geraint-thomas-blown-off-the-road-in-ghent-wevelgem-164379|access-date=26 October 2015|work=[[Cycling Weekly]]|date=29 March 2015}}</ref> prompting media to describe the race as "mayhem" and "one of the wildest bike races in recent years".<ref name=cn-mayhem>{{cite news|title=Gallery: Gent–Wevelgem mayhem|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gallery-gent-wevelgem-mayhem/|access-date=2 December 2015|website=[[Cycling News]]|date=31 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501175927/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gallery-gent-wevelgem-mayhem|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Gregor|title=Wind like never before in Belgium's Gent–Wevelgem classic|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/wind-like-never-before-in-belgiums-gent-wevelgem-classic_364972|website=[[Cycling Weekly]]|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=1 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401151529/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/wind-like-never-before-in-belgiums-gent-wevelgem-classic_364972|url-status=dead}}</ref> Only 39 riders finished the race.<ref name=cn-report>{{cite news|last1=Decaluwé|first1=Brecht|title=Paolini wins Gent–Wevelgem|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2015/results/|access-date=26 October 2015|website=[[Cyclingnews.com]]|date=31 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509152514/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2015/results|archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref>

The [[2016 Gent–Wevelgem|2016 edition]] was marred by the death of Belgian rider [[Antoine Demoitié]], suffering fatal injuries from a crash and collision with a motor bike.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/belgian-rider-antoine-demoitie-dies-in-hospital-after-ghent-wevelgem-crash-218488|title=Belgian rider Antoine Demoitié dies in hospital after Ghent-Wevelgem crash|date=27 March 2016|work=[[Cycling Weekly]]|access-date=14 April 2016|publisher=[[Time Inc. UK]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Antoine Demoitié dies following Gent–Wevelgem crash|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/antoine-demoiti-dies-following-gent-wevelgem-crash/|website=[[Cyclingnews.com]]|access-date=28 March 2016|date=28 March 2016}}</ref> [[Peter Sagan]] won the [[2018 Gent–Wevelgem|2018 event]], marking Sagan's third Gent–Wevelgem title and sixth podium finish, thereby becoming the most successful rider in the race's history.<ref name="hattrick">{{cite web|title=Gent–Wevelgem: It's a hat trick for World Champ Sagan|url=http://www.velonews.com/2018/03/race-report/gent-wevelgem-hat-trick-world-champ-sagan_460945|website=Velonews.com|date=25 March 2018 |publisher=[[Competitor Group, Inc.]]|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>

==Route==
[[File:Gent-Wevelgem 2014.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Route map of the [[2014 Gent–Wevelgem]]: Starting in [[Deinze]] and finishing in [[Wevelgem]], the race covers around 250&nbsp;km]]
[[File:Gent-Wevelgem 2018 men.png|thumb|240px|right|Final 100&nbsp;km of the [[2018 Gent–Wevelgem|2018 event]]]]
Unlike most of the Flemish spring classics, which centre around [[Oudenaarde]] and the plentiful hills in the [[Flemish Ardennes]], Gent–Wevelgem travels west into [[West Flanders]] and [[Hauts-de-France|Northern France]] and has fewer hills, providing it with a different character and making it more suitable for sprinters.<ref name=cn-preview /> In recent years the total distance of the race was around 250&nbsp;km.<ref name=profile>{{cite web|title=GW2015 Elite men map profile|url=http://gw.pro.p.assets.flandersclassics.be/files/1817/original/gw2015-elite-men-map-profile.pdf?1426863142|website=[[Flanders Classics|flandersclassics.be]]|access-date=28 March 2015|ref=route-profile|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145733/http://gw.pro.p.assets.flandersclassics.be/files/1817/original/gw2015-elite-men-map-profile.pdf?1426863142|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Present course===
Since 2004, the race starts in [[Deinze]], [[East Flanders]], {{convert|15|km}} southwest of [[Ghent]].<ref name="Wegwijzer 2016">{{cite web|title=Wegwijzer – Itinéraire|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/extra/sportwereld/PDF/2015/gw2016-elite-men-roadmap-v2.pdf|website=[[Het Nieuwsblad]]|publisher=[[Corelio]]|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref> After the unofficial start on the city's Market Square, the route heads west, facing 100 kilometres through the wind-swept flatlands of [[West Flanders]], up to and along the [[North Sea]] coast before turning south into the [[Nord (French department)|North department]] of France.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem">{{cite web|title=Gent–Wevelgem|url=http://www.uci.ch/road/news/article/gent-wevelgem/|website=[[Union Cycliste Internationale|UCI]]|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=profile /> After 120&nbsp;km comes the cobbled [[Mont Cassel|Kasselberg]] climb in [[Cassel, Nord|Cassel]], which is addressed twice in quick succession.{{efn|In 2016 and 2017 Gent–Wevelgem did not include the Casselberg because of the annual Easter carnival in the commune that coincided with the race.<ref>{{cite web|title=Geen Casselberg in Gent–Wevelgem: "Zware streep door de rekening"|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20151022_01933638|website=Sportwereld|date=23 October 2015 |publisher=Corelio|access-date=1 December 2015|language=nl}}</ref>}} After the [[Mont des Cats|Katsberg]], the second hill in France, the race re-enters Belgium after {{convert|50|km}} on French roads, to enter the key section of the race in [[Heuvelland]].<ref name=cn-preview>{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=Gent–Wevelgem preview: Degenkolb, Kristoff and Cavendish face off in Belgium|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2015/preview|access-date=1 December 2015|work=[[Cycling News]]|date=28 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419032740/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2015/preview|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2015}}</ref>

The hill zone in the very south of West Flanders holds three climbs, the Baneberg, Monteberg and [[Kemmelberg]], covered within twelve kilometres of one another.<ref name=profile /> This succession of climbs is interspersed with technical descents along narrow country roads, including the difficult descent of the Kemmelberg. The Kemmelberg is the hardest and most iconic climb of the race.<ref name=cn-preview />

After these three ''bergs'', the course loops round and riders re-ascend the Baneberg–Monteberg-Kemmelberg sequence, covering a total of nine categorized climbs.<ref name=cn-preview /> After the top of the ultimate climb of the Kemmelberg, some {{convert|35|km}} from the finish, the course invariably ensues on a long and flat run-in to Wevelgem.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem" /> The finish is on the Vanackerestraat, Wevelgem's central avenue.

===Character of the race===
The essential ingredients of Gent–Wevelgem have remained the same for decades. First to take their toll on the peloton, in the opening 100 kilometres, are the crosswinds and often rainy weather on exposed, flat roads across Flanders’ largest open plain. As teams try to protect and position their captains in the early stages of the race, splits and echelons at this point frequently see 40 to 60 riders eliminated from the running.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem"/>

[[File:Kemmelberg23.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Kemmelberg]] first featured in 1955 and has become the centrepiece of the race. The steepest slopes reach 23 % gradient near the top.]]
Subsequently, after hours of pounding across the Flanders flatlands and the occasional excursion to Northern France, the riders approach the hill zone in [[Heuvelland]], which features the day's most difficult ascents. The hills are at the heart of the action and usually the sites where breakaways are formed. The race's most renowned climb is the [[Kemmelberg]], a fully cobbled hill road in [[Kemmel]] with gradients up to 23%, but equally notorious for its difficult and technical descent.

The Kemmelberg, the highest point in the region, is the toughest climb and the emotional centrepiece of the race.<ref name=cn-preview /> Named after [[Camulos]], the Celtic god of war, the Kemmelberg's summit lies atop a thickly wooded ridge which was the scene of the [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Battle of the Lys]] in April 1918, in which more than 200,000 soldiers died.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem"/> The climb has been controversial in the past because of several severe crashes in its descent. In [[2007 Gent–Wevelgem|2007]] French rider [[Jimmy Casper]] crashed heavily, suffering numerous facial and other fractures.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Gregor|last2=Decaluwé|first2=Brecht|title=69th Gent–Wevelgem – PT|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/apr07/wevelgem07/?id=results|website=Cycling News|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Casper considers suing Unibet, reflects on Kemmelberg|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/casper-considers-suing-unibet-reflects-on-kemmelberg/|website=Cycling News|date=29 December 2007 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> In [[2016 Gent–Wevelgem|2016]] the climb was addressed by its steepest road for the first time in more than 20 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gent–Wevelgem weer over steilste kant Kemmelberg|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20151125_01989733|website=Sportwereld|date=25 November 2015 |publisher=[[Corelio]]|language=nl|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fletcher|first1=Patrick|title=Gent–Wevelgem to be revamped with steeper side of the Kemmelberg|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gent-wevelgem-to-be-revamped-with-steeper-side-of-the-kemmelberg/|website=[[Cycling News]]|date=27 November 2015 |access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref>

After the Kemmelberg, the ultimate battle between breakaways formed on the ''bergs'' and the chasing peloton unfolds on the 35-kilometre flat roads towards the finish. Despite its reputation as a sprinter's classic, Gent–Wevelgem's breakaways frequently hold off their pursuers because of the unpredictable terrain.<ref name="Gent–Wevelgem" />

[[File:Peloton1 Kemmelberg 4JDD2010.JPG|thumb|right|The Kemmelberg is one of the only cobbled sites in the race.]]

===Cobbles===
{{main|Cobbled classics}}
Although media usually classify Gent–Wevelgem as a cobbled classic,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cobbled Classics|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tag/cobbled-classics|website=Cycling Weekly|publisher=[[Time Inc. UK]]|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref> the route actually has very few sections of cobbled roads. Only the [[Kemmelberg]] and the upper stretches of the [[Mont Cassel|Kasselberg]] are cobbled, totaling a possible maximum of two kilometres of cobbled section, which is significantly less than the other cobbled races of Flanders and Northern France. Moreover, there are no flat sections of ''pavé'' and both cobbled climbs are in excellent condition, as they are part of a busy suburban traffic network.

==Course changes==
The first race was in 1934 on an all-flat route from [[Ghent]]'s [[Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station|St Pieter's Station]] to [[Wevelgem]].<ref name="Past">{{cite web|title=Past|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/en/elite-men/history/history|website=gent-wevelgem.be|publisher=Flanders Classics|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> The second edition in 1935 addressed the [[Flemish Ardennes]] in [[East Flanders]] and included the climbs of Kwaremont, Kluisberg and Tiegemberg. From 1936 to 1939 the race ran from Ghent to [[Kortrijk]], followed by local laps, including the Lauwberg as the main difficulty.

[[File:Heuvelland vanaf de Rodeberg.jpg|thumb|right|Since 1945, the hills in [[Heuvelland]], including Kemmelberg and Rodeberg ''(pictured)'' are the heart of the finale.]]
After World War II, Gent–Wevelgem restyled with a new route across the Flemish Ardennes and the [[Heuvelland|Heuvelland region]].<ref name="Past"/> The Edelareberg, Hoppeberg, [[Oude Kwaremont|Kwaremont]], Zwarteberg and Rodeberg featured along the way. In 1947 and 1948 the course looped up to and along the [[North Sea]] coast for the first time.

From 1949 to 1954 the Flemish Ardennes returned, followed by the Heuvelland hills of Rodeberg and Vidaigneberg. In 1955 the Kluisberg and [[Kemmelberg]] made their first appearance. The road on the Kemmelberg was still unpaved. In 1956 the [[Eikenberg]] was included.

[[File:Vueduclocher.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Mont Cassel]] is one of the [[French Flanders|Franco-Flemish]] hills in Northern France, introduced in 1957.]]
In 1957, as Gent–Wevelgem was part of the ''Trophy of Flanders'', organizers introduced climbs in [[French Flanders]]: Zwarteberg, [[Mont Cassel]], [[Mont des Cats|Katsberg]] and Wouwenberg preceded the Kemmelberg. In 1958, these Franco-Flemish climbs were not included: the pre-[[Schengen area|Schengen]] border crossing caused too many administrative burdens. After the run-up to the coast, the route featured only the Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg and Kemmelberg climbs in Heuvelland.

In 1960 scheduling conflicts marked the end of the Trophy of Flanders and the race placed itself on the calendar between the more prestigious classics the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix. In 1961 Gent–Wevelgem implemented a two-day course, a one-year novelty. The race ran from Ghent to [[Antwerp]] on the first day and to Wevelgem on the second.

From 1962 to 1976 Gent–Wevelgem ran via the coast to Heuvelland, with the Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg and Kemmelberg as fixed venues, sometimes supplemented with Monteberg, Baneberg, Sulferberg, Goeberg, Suikerberg (''Sugar Hill''), Kraaiberg and Scherpenberg.

In 1977, the hills of the Flemish Ardennes were addressed for the last time to date, featuring eleven significant climbs, including [[Koppenberg]], Edelareberg, Kattenberg, Varent, Kluisberg and Tiegemberg. In 1993, the Franco-Flemish hills made their re-appearance but were omitted again in 1996.

[[File:Ieper Menenpoort R04.jpg|thumb|right|The race passes under the [[Menin Gate]] World War I memorial in [[Ypres]] during the race finale.]]
In [[2008 Gent–Wevelgem|2008]], the route was substantially modified, following the race's status as a [[UCI Pro Tour]] event.<ref name="Past"/> The distance was increased from ca. 200&nbsp;km to 235&nbsp;km. The course no longer ran along long coastal stretches, but instead approached [[Veurne]] from the [[Polder#Belgium|polders]]. More climbs in Heuvelland were inserted: Zwarteberg, Baneberg, Rodeberg, Vidaigneberg and Monteberg preceded the double ascent of the Kemmelberg. As a consequence of the heavy crashes of the [[2007 Gent–Wevelgem|2007 race]], the Kemmelberg was approached from the village of Kemmel, in order to avoid the dangerous cobbled descent and potential new crashes.

In [[2010 Gent–Wevelgem|2010]] the Franco-Flemish hills of Kasselberg, Scherpenberg, Katsberg, and Berthen were re-introduced, before ensuing the traditional route in the Heuvelland hills. In recent years the city of [[Ypres]] features prominently in the race finale.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ieper nog steeds de poort tot de finale|url=http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/nl/elite-men/news/2015-02/126/ieper-nog-steeds-de-poort-tot-de-finale|website=gent-wevelgem.be|access-date=6 December 2015|language=nl}}</ref> In the context of the [[Centenary of the outbreak of World War I]], the peloton crosses the city centre and leaves it passing under the iconic [[Menin Gate]], arguably the most famous ''Flanders Fields'' memorial, before proceeding on the final run-in to the finish in Wevelgem.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delvaux|first1=Maarten|title=Alles wat u moet weten over Gent–Wevelgem|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150326_01599785|website=sportwereld.be|date=29 March 2015 |publisher=Corelio|access-date=6 December 2015|language=nl}}</ref>

The 2017 race saw the addition of three so-called ''Plugstreets'' in [[Ploegsteert Wood]], semi-paved gravel roads at the [[Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing]], to commemorate the [[Christmas truce|Christmas truce of 1914]].<ref name="Plugstreets">{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gent-wevelgem-pays-tribute-to-first-world-war-with-2017-route/|title=Gent-Wevelgem pays tribute to First World War with 2017 route|website=[[Cyclingnews.com]]|date=24 November 2016|access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref>{{efn|[[Ploegsteert]], where [[Winston Churchill]] served as Commanding Officer during 1916, was a site of trench warfare during World War I. On Christmas Eve 1914, German soldiers started singing ''[[Silent Night|Silent Night, Holy Night]]'', to which the Allied troops responded with a rendition of ''[[The First Noel]]''. On Christmas Day, German and Allied troops approached each other in [[No man's land#World War I|No man's land]], resulting in playing games of football. A similar ceasefire was observed in 1915 although in 1916 there were commands to execute any soldiers who fraternized with the enemy.<ref name="Plugstreets"/>}} The three ''Plugstreets'' were integrated between the two Kemmel climbs, with a total distance of {{convert|5.2|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2017/preview/|title=Gent-Wevelgem 2017 race preview|website=[[Cyclingnews.com]]|date=25 March 2017|access-date=30 March 2017|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher}}</ref>

The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] led to the change of calendar and that year's edition was postponed for the 11th of October.

==Winners==
{{Cycling past winner start}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1934 Gent–Wevelgem|1934]]|name={{sortname|Gustave Van|Belle}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1935 Gent–Wevelgem|1935]]|name={{sortname|Albert|Depreitre}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1936 Gent–Wevelgem|1936]]|name={{sortname|Robert Van|Eenaeme}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1937 Gent–Wevelgem|1937]]|name={{sortname|Robert Van|Eenaeme}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1938 Gent–Wevelgem|1938]]|name={{sortname|Hubert|Godart}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1939 Gent–Wevelgem|1939]]|name={{sortname|André|Declerck||Declerck, Andre}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling pw no race|year=1940–<br>1944}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1945 Gent–Wevelgem|1945]]|name={{sortname|Robert Van|Eenaeme}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1946 Gent–Wevelgem|1946]]|name={{sortname|Ernest|Sterckx}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Alcyon (cycling team)|Alcyon]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1947 Gent–Wevelgem|1947]]|name={{sortname|Maurice|Desimpelaere}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Alcyon (cycling team)|Alcyon]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1948 Gent–Wevelgem|1948]]|name={{sortname|Valère|Ollivier||Ollivier, Valere}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1949 Gent–Wevelgem|1949]]|name={{sortname|Marcel|Kint}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1950 Gent–Wevelgem|1950]]|name={{sortname|Briek|Schotte}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Alcyon (cycling team)|Alcyon]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1951 Gent–Wevelgem|1951]]|name={{sortname|André|Rosseel||Rosseel, Andre}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1952 Gent–Wevelgem|1952]]|name={{sortname|Raymond|Impanis}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1953 Gent–Wevelgem|1953]]|name={{sortname|Raymond|Impanis}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1954 Gent–Wevelgem|1954]]|name={{sortname|Rolf|Graf}}|nat=SUI|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1955 Gent–Wevelgem|1955]]|name={{sortname|Briek|Schotte}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Alcyon (cycling team)|Alcyon]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1956 Gent–Wevelgem|1956]]|name={{sortname|Rik Van|Looy}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1957 Gent–Wevelgem|1957]]|name={{sortname|Rik Van|Looy}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1958 Gent–Wevelgem|1958]]|name={{sortname|Noël|Foré}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1959 Gent–Wevelgem|1959]]|name={{sortname|Léon Van|Daele}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1960 Gent–Wevelgem|1960]]|name={{sortname|Frans|Aerenhouts}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1961 Gent–Wevelgem|1961]]|name={{sortname|Frans|Aerenhouts}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1962 Gent–Wevelgem|1962]]|name={{sortname|Rik Van|Looy}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1963 Gent–Wevelgem|1963]]|name={{sortname|Benoni|Beheyt}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1964 Gent–Wevelgem|1964]]|name={{sortname|Jacques|Anquetil}}|nat=FRA|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1965 Gent–Wevelgem|1965]]|name={{sortname|Noël De|Pauw}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1966 Gent–Wevelgem|1966]]|name={{sortname|Herman Van|Springel}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1967 Gent–Wevelgem|1967]]|name={{sortname|Eddy|Merckx}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Peugeot (cycling team)|Peugeot]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1968 Gent–Wevelgem|1968]]|name={{sortname|Walter|Godefroot}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Flandria–De Clerck]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1969 Gent–Wevelgem|1969]]|name={{sortname|Willy|Vekemans}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=Goldor–Hertekamp–Gerka}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1970 Gent–Wevelgem|1970]]|name={{sortname|Eddy|Merckx}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Faemino–Faema]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1971 Gent–Wevelgem|1971]]|name={{sortname|Georges|Pintens}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=Hertekamp–Magniflex}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1972 Gent–Wevelgem|1972]]|name={{sortname|Roger|Swerts}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Molteni (cycling team)|Molteni]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1973 Gent–Wevelgem|1973]]|name={{sortname|Eddy|Merckx}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Molteni (cycling team)|Molteni]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1974 Gent–Wevelgem|1974]]|name={{sortname|Barry|Hoban}}|nat=GBR|natvar=|team=[[Gan–Mercier]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1975 Gent–Wevelgem|1975]]|name={{sortname|Freddy|Maertens}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=Carpenter–Confortluxe–Flandria}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1976 Gent–Wevelgem|1976]]|name={{sortname|Freddy|Maertens}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=Flandria–Velda–West Vlaams Vleesbedrijf}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1977 Gent–Wevelgem|1977]]|name={{sortname|Bernard|Hinault}}|nat=FRA|natvar=|team=[[Gitane–Campagnolo]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1978 Gent–Wevelgem|1978]]|name={{sortname|Ferdi Van Den|Haute}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Marc Zeepcentrale–Superia–ISC]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1979 Gent–Wevelgem|1979]]|name={{sortname|Francesco|Moser}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team=Sanson}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1980 Gent–Wevelgem|1980]]|name={{sortname|Henk|Lubberding}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TIR|1980}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1981 Gent–Wevelgem|1981]]|name={{sortname|Jan|Raas}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TIR|1981}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1982 Gent–Wevelgem|1982]]|name={{sortname|Frank|Hoste}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TIR|1982}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1983 Gent–Wevelgem|1983]]|name={{sortname|Leo van|Vliet}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TIR|1983}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1984 Gent–Wevelgem|1984]]|name={{sortname|Guido|Bontempi}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|CAR|1984}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1985 Gent–Wevelgem|1985]]|name={{sortname|Eric|Vanderaerden}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[Panasonic cycling team|Panasonic]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1986 Gent–Wevelgem|1986]]|name={{sortname|Guido|Bontempi}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|CAR|1986a}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1987 Gent–Wevelgem|1987]]|name={{sortname|Teun van|Vliet}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team=[[Panasonic cycling team|Panasonic]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1988 Gent–Wevelgem|1988]]|name={{sortname|Sean|Kelly|Sean Kelly (cyclist)}}|nat=IRL|natvar=|team=[[Kas (cycling team)|Kas]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1989 Gent–Wevelgem|1989]]|name={{sortname|Gerrit|Solleveld}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team=Superconfex–Yoko}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1990 Gent–Wevelgem|1990]]|name={{sortname|Herman|Frison}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=Histor–Sigma}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1991 Gent–Wevelgem|1991]]|name={{sortname|Djamolidine|Abdoujaparov}}|nat=URS|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|CAR|1991}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1992 Gent–Wevelgem|1992]]|name={{sortname|Mario|Cipollini}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team=[[GB-MG]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1993 Gent–Wevelgem|1993]]|name={{sortname|Mario|Cipollini}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team=[[GB-MG]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1994 Gent–Wevelgem|1994]]|name={{sortname|Wilfried|Peeters}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[GB-MG]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1995 Gent–Wevelgem|1995]]|name={{sortname|Lars|Michaelsen}}|nat=DEN|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|FES|1995}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1996 Gent–Wevelgem|1996]]|name={{sortname|Tom|Steels}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|MAP|1996}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1997 Gent–Wevelgem|1997]]|name={{sortname|Philippe|Gaumont}}|nat=FRA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|COF|1997}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1998 Gent–Wevelgem|1998]]|name={{sortname|Frank|Vandenbroucke|Frank Vandenbroucke (cyclist)}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|MAP|1998}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[1999 Gent–Wevelgem|1999]]|name={{sortname|Tom|Steels}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|MAP|1999}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2000 Gent–Wevelgem|2000]]|name={{sortname|Geert Van|Bondt}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team=[[TVM (cycling team)|Farm Frites]]}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2001 Gent–Wevelgem|2001]]|name={{sortname|George|Hincapie}}|nat=USA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|DSC|2001}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2002 Gent–Wevelgem|2002]]|name={{sortname|Mario|Cipollini}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|CTA|2002}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2003 Gent–Wevelgem|2003]]|name={{sortname|Andreas|Klier}}|nat=GER|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|THR|2003}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2004 Gent–Wevelgem|2004]]|name={{sortname|Tom|Boonen}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|QST|2004}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2005 Gent–Wevelgem|2005]]|name={{sortname|Nico|Mattan}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|SIL|2005}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2006 Gent–Wevelgem|2006]]|name={{sortname|Thor|Hushovd}}|nat=NOR|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|C.A|2006}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2007 Gent–Wevelgem|2007]]|name={{sortname|Marcus|Burghardt}}|nat=GER |natvar=|team={{UCI team code|THR|2007a}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2008 Gent–Wevelgem|2008]]|name={{sortname|Óscar|Freire||Freire, Oscar}}|nat=ESP|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|RAB|2008}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2009 Gent–Wevelgem|2009]]|name={{sortname|Edvald Boasson|Hagen}}|nat=NOR|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|THR|2009a}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2010 Gent–Wevelgem|2010]]|name={{sortname|Bernhard|Eisel}}|nat=AUT|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|THR|2010}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2011 Gent–Wevelgem|2011]]|name={{sortname|Tom|Boonen}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|QST|2011}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2012 Gent–Wevelgem|2012]]|name={{sortname|Tom|Boonen}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|OPQ|2012}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2013 Gent–Wevelgem|2013]]|name={{sortname|Peter|Sagan}}|nat=SVK|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|CAN|2013}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2014 Gent–Wevelgem|2014]]|name={{sortname|John|Degenkolb}}|nat=GER|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|GIA|2014}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2015 Gent–Wevelgem|2015]]|name={{sortname|Luca|Paolini}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2016 Gent–Wevelgem|2016]]|name={{sortname|Peter|Sagan}}|nat=SVK|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TNK|2016}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2017 Gent–Wevelgem|2017]]|name={{sortname|Greg|Van Avermaet}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|BMC|2017}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2018 Gent–Wevelgem|2018]]|name={{sortname|Peter|Sagan}}|nat=SVK|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|BOH|2018}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2019 Gent–Wevelgem|2019]]|name={{sortname|Alexander|Kristoff}}|nat=NOR|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|UAD|2019}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2020 Gent–Wevelgem|2020]]|name={{sortname|Mads|Pedersen|Mads Pedersen (cyclist)}}|nat=DEN|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TFS men|2020}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2021 Gent–Wevelgem|2021]]|name={{sortname|Wout|van Aert}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TJV|2021}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2022 Gent–Wevelgem|2022]]|name={{sortname|Biniam|Girmay}}|nat=ERI|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|IWG|2022}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2023 Gent–Wevelgem|2023]]|name={{sortname|Christophe|Laporte}}|nat=FRA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TJV|2023}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2024 Gent–Wevelgem|2024]]|name={{sortname|Mads|Pedersen|Mads Pedersen (cyclist)}}|nat=DEN|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TFS men|2024}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2025 Gent–Wevelgem|2025]]|name={{sortname|Mads|Pedersen|Mads Pedersen (cyclist)}}|nat=DEN|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TFS men|2025}}}}{{Cycling past winner end}}
=== Multiple winners ===

''Riders in italics are still active''

{| class="wikitable"
! Wins
! Rider
! Country
! Editions
|-
| align=center rowspan= 7 | 3 || [[Robert Van Eenaeme]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1936 Gent–Wevelgem|1936]], [[1937 Gent–Wevelgem|1937]], [[1945 Gent–Wevelgem|1945]]
|-
|[[Rik Van Looy]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1956 Gent–Wevelgem|1956]], [[1957 Gent–Wevelgem|1957]], [[1962 Gent–Wevelgem|1962]]
|-
|[[Eddy Merckx]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1967 Gent–Wevelgem|1967]], [[1970 Gent–Wevelgem|1970]], [[1973 Gent–Wevelgem|1973]]
|-
|[[Mario Cipollini]] || {{flagu|Italy}} || [[1992 Gent–Wevelgem|1992]], [[1993 Gent–Wevelgem|1993]], [[2002 Gent–Wevelgem|2002]]
|-
|[[Tom Boonen]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[2004 Gent–Wevelgem|2004]], [[2011 Gent–Wevelgem|2011]], [[2012 Gent–Wevelgem|2012]]
|-
|[[Peter Sagan]] || {{SVK}} || [[2013 Gent–Wevelgem|2013]], [[2016 Gent–Wevelgem|2016]], [[2018 Gent–Wevelgem|2018]]
|-
|[[Mads Pedersen (cyclist)|''Mads Pedersen'']] || {{flagu|Denmark}} || [[2020 Gent–Wevelgem|2020]], [[2024 Gent–Wevelgem|2024]], [[2025 Gent–Wevelgem|2025]]
|-
| align=center rowspan= 7 | 2 || [[Raymond Impanis]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1952 Gent–Wevelgem|1952]], [[1953 Gent–Wevelgem|1953]]
|-
| [[Briek Schotte]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1950 Gent–Wevelgem|1950]], [[1955 Gent–Wevelgem|1955]]
|-
|[[Frans Aerenhouts]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1960 Gent–Wevelgem|1960]], [[1961 Gent–Wevelgem|1961]]
|-
|[[Freddy Maertens]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1975 Gent–Wevelgem|1975]], [[1976 Gent–Wevelgem|1976]]
|-
|[[Guido Bontempi]] || {{flagu|Italy}} || [[1984 Gent–Wevelgem|1984]], [[1986 Gent–Wevelgem|1986]]
|-
|[[Tom Steels]] || {{flagu|Belgium}} || [[1996 Gent–Wevelgem|1996]], [[1999 Gent–Wevelgem|1999]]

|}

===Wins per country===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Wins
!Country
|-
|align=center | 50
|{{BEL}}
|-
|align=center | 7
|{{ITA}}
|-
|align=center | 5
|{{NED}}
|-
|align=center | 4
|{{FRA}}<br>{{DEN}}
|-
|align=center | 3
|{{GER}}<br>{{NOR}}<br>{{SVK}}
|-
|align=center | 1
|{{AUT}}<br>{{ERI}}<br>{{GBR2}}<br>{{IRL}}<br>{{URS}}<br>{{ESP}}<br>{{SUI}}<br>{{USA}}
|-
|}

==Women's race==
[[File:2016 Boels Ladies Tour 6e etappe 102a.jpg|right|thumb|Britain's [[Lizzie Armitstead]] won the first women's Gent–Wevelgem in 2012.]]
Since 2012 a women's race of Gent–Wevelgem is held, on the same day as the men's event but over a shorter course. Unlike the men's race, the start is in [[Ypres]] and the course does not cover the hills in Northern France.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delvaux|first1=Maarten|title=Alles wat u moet weten over Gent–Wevelgem|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150326_01599785|website=Sportwereld.be|date=29 March 2015 |publisher=Het Mediahuis|language=nl}}</ref> The inaugural women's edition was won by British rider [[Lizzie Armitstead]] after a 40-km solo breakaway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armitstead powers to solo win|url=http://www1.skysports.com/news/12040/7625950|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=March 25, 2012|access-date=March 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20120325_062# | language=nl | title=Elizabeth Armitstead wint eerste Gent–Wevelgem voor vrouwen| newspaper=[[Het Nieuwsblad]] |date=25 March 2012 }}</ref> Since 2016 the race is included in the [[UCI Women's World Tour]], cycling's top-tier female elite competition.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Frattini|first1=Kirsten|title=2016 Gent-Wevelgem Women overview|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-women-2016/|website=cyclingnews|date=27 March 2016 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref>

{{Cycling past winner start}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2012 Gent–Wevelgem (women)|2012]]|name={{sortname|Lizzie|Armitstead}}|nat=GBR|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|AAD|2012}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2013 Gent–Wevelgem (women)|2013]]|name={{sortname|Kirsten|Wild}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TLP|2013}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2014 Gent–Wevelgem (women)|2014]]|name={{sortname|Lauren|Hall}}|nat=USA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|OPT|2014}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2015 Gent–Wevelgem (women)|2015]]|name={{sortname|Floortje|Mackaij}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TLP|2015}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2016 Gent–Wevelgem (women)|2016]]|name={{sortname|Chantal|Blaak}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|DLT|2016}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2017 Gent–Wevelgem (women)|2017]]|name={{sortname|Lotta|Lepistö}}|nat=FIN|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|CBT|2017}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2018 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2018]]|name={{sortname|Marta|Bastianelli}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|ALE|2018}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2019 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2019]]|name={{sortname|Kirsten|Wild}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|WNT|2019}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2020 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2020]]|name={{sortname|Jolien|D'Hoore}}|nat=BEL|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|DLT|2020}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2021 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2021]]|name={{sortname|Marianne|Vos}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|JVW|2021}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2022 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2022]]|name={{sortname|Elisa|Balsamo|Elisa Balsamo (cyclist)}}|nat=ITA|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|TFS women|2022}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2023 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2023]]|name={{sortname|Marlen|Reusser|Marlen Reusser}}|nat=SWI|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|SDW|2023}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2024 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2024]]|name={{sortname|Lorena|Wiebes}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|SDW|2024}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=[[2025 Gent–Wevelgem (women's race)|2025]]|name={{sortname|Lorena|Wiebes}}|nat=NED|natvar=|team={{UCI team code|SDW|2025}}}}
{{Cycling past winner end}}

===Wins per country===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Wins
!Country
|-
|align=center | 7
|{{NED}}
|-
|align=center | 2
|{{ITA}}
|-
|align=center | 1
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==Cyclosportive==
Since 2009, a [[cyclosportive]] is organized on the day before the professional event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gent–Wevelgem Cyclo |url=https://cyclinginflanders.cc/event/gent-wevelgem-cyclo |website=cyclinginflanders.cc |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> There are four distances, ranging from 60&nbsp;km to 215&nbsp;km. All courses start and finish in [[Wevelgem]], at the finishing location of the professional event. Most routes pass through the Menin Gate in Ypres, flirt with the French border, tackle the Kemmelberg before turning back towards Wevelgem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.procyclinguk.com/gent-wevelgem-sportive-review-2019/|title=Gent Wevelgem Sportive Review 2019|last=Mitchell|first=Mathew|date=2019-04-03|website=ProCyclingUK.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref> There are 5.000 participants on average; 40% of which are non-Belgians.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weyters |first1=Gert-Jan |title=5000 deelnemers genieten van zonovergoten Gent–Wevelgem Cyclo |url=http://www.sport.be/cycling/nl/nieuws/article.html?Article_ID=829271 |website=sport.be |date=24 March 2018 |access-date=11 March 2019 |language=nl}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website}}

{{Gent–Wevelgem}}
{{UCI World Tour}}
{{UCI ProTour}}
{{UCI Women's World Tour}}
{{Classic cycle races}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gent-Wevelgem}}
[[Category:Gent–Wevelgem| ]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1934]]
[[Category:1934 establishments in Belgium]]
[[Category:UCI ProTour races]]
[[Category:Classic cycle races]]
[[Category:Cycle races in Belgium]]
[[Category:UCI World Tour races]]
[[Category:Annual sporting events in Belgium]]
[[Category:Spring (season) in Belgium]]
[[Category:Super Prestige Pernod races]]
[[Category:Sport in West Flanders]]
[[Category:Wevelgem]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Ghent]]