The Northern campaign continues with the Ghent-Wevelgem , a race with a strong tradition which has often seen very fast runners triumph.

The route, in fact, is not particularly demanding, at least in the last part. Some walls known to enthusiasts will be tackled twice and the Kemmelberg three times, the last difficulty of the day 34.3 km from the finish line. In total, 253 km will have to be covered with a difference in altitude of approximately 1,300 metres. Pay attention to the weather: a windy day is expected, therefore room for fans and bindings which could make a notable selection.

If we talk about favorites we must start with the Alpecin duo formed by Mathieu Van der Poel , first at the E3 Classic and who has a fourth place as his best result in Ghent, and Jasper Philipsen , who won the Sanremo a week ago but who in this race did not he still achieved important placings in his career.

Having a double chance of victory will certainly put the main opponents in difficulty: Visma will not have Wout Van Aert and Christophe Laporte at the start, protagonists last year of a first and second place with a final 'gift'. So we will work for Olav Kooij , captain of the day. Then there are the 'usual' men who exalt themselves among the stones and the narrow Belgian streets: this is the case of Matej Mohoric , Stefan Kung, Mads Pedersen and Jasper Stuyven of Lidl Trek, Jhonathan Narvaez, Nils Politt and, as second striker of the Visma, Ian Tratnik.

To be evaluated are Biniam Girmay, who appeared in good shape at the E3 up to 5 km from the finish before a sudden crisis, Tim Merlier , sixth in 2022, and Arnaud De Lie from whom a positive signal is expected after a terrible E3.

Jonathan Milan is also among the Italians at the start, but he will have at least two riders ahead of him in the Trek hierarchy, Matteo Trentin and Luca Mozzato for a top 10 finish.

Photo Sprint Cycling