BiciRace.com :: 2006 Gent-Wevelgem

2006 Gent-Wevelgem, Preview

Gent-Wevelgem, Belgium

5 April, 210K

The Classic Between Classics

Overall Map, Profile
Startlist
Photos
Report and Results
2005 Results

2005 Winner Nico Mattan, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Here are a few facts to dazzle your friends with at the next cocktail party you go to: Gent-Wevelgem has been run 67 times and it has been won a staggering 46 times by Belgians. The next closest nation by victories is Italy with a paltry six. That is almost absurd.

So why are the Belgians so proficient at winning Gent-Wevelgem? There are many reasons, but we at BiciRace.com have narrowed it down to three key things. The first of which has to do with the hellacious crosswinds that blow off the North Sea. This forces the riders into echelons instead of pace lines, and it's all too easy to caught out and miss the key break in these kinds of conditions. Secondly, it usually rains, and history has shown that the harder it rains, the better the Belgians ride. Third, are the cobbles. Belgians have made riding on the cobblestones a form of art.

Flecha in 2005 Gent-Wevelgem, photo: Fassa Bortolo

Gent-Wevelgem is a flat-landers race to its roots. Just look at last year's podium: Nico Mattan, Juan Antonio Flecha and Daniele Bennati. This year's running should produce a winner with similar characteristics. Quick-Step has a whole crop of riders capable of sealing the deal. Tom Boonen has already won it and everyone knows his form is absolutely red hot. Next is Nick Nuyens. He might be just enough of a dark horse to snatch victory right out from under the big favorites.

There are some climbs in the course, however, nothing too severe. The Monteberg and Kemmel are repeated four times in the latter half of the race. The last Monteberg comes at kilometer 169, while the Kemmel comes just a few kilometers later. Both are power climbs and both come a good 30K before the finish. That's plenty of time for any riders that don't make the cut to get back on terms with the front-runners.

Devolder Could Discover Victory, photo: BiciRace.com

The BiciRace.com crew was discussing it over caffè the other day and we think Stijn Devolder of Discovery Channel is the one to watch. He's Belgian, he's super strong and his team is one of the best.

Grab yourself some frites and De Koninck, and sit back and watch the carnage.
- Paco

Past Winners (from 1960):

2005 Nico Mattan (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto
2004 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step
2003 Andreas Klier (Ger) Telekom
2002 Mario Cipollini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone
2001 George Hincapie (USA) USPS
2000 Geert van Bondt (Bel) Farm Frites
1999 Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei-Quick-Step
1998 Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Mapei
1997 Philippe Gaumont (Fra)
1996 Tom Steels (Bel)
1995 Lars Michaelsen (Den)
1994 Wilfried Peeters (Bel)
1993 Mario Cipollini (Ita)
1992 Mario Cipollini (Ita)
1991 Djamolodine Abdoujaparov (Usb)
1990 Herman Frison (Bel)
1989 Gerrit Solleveld (Ned)
1988 Sean Kelly (Ire)
1987 Teun Van Vliet (Ned)
1986 Guido Bontempi (Ita)
1985 Eric Vanderaerden (Bel)
1984 Guido Bontempi (Ita)
1983 Teun Van Vliet (Ned)
1982 Frank Hoste (Bel)
1981 Jan Raas (Ned)
1980 Henk Lubberding (Ned)
1979 Francesco Moser (Ita)
1978 Ferdinand Van den Haute (Bel)
1977 Bernard Hinault (Fra)
1976 Freddy Maertens (Bel)
1975 Freddy Maertens (Bel)
1974 Barry Hoban (GB)
1973 Eddy Merckx (Bel)
1972 Roger Swerts (Bel)
1971 Georges Pintens (Bel)
1970 Eddy Merckx (Bel)
1969 Willy Vekenmans (Bel)
1968 Walter Godefroot (Bel)
1967 Eddy Merckx (Bel)
1966 Herman Vanspringel (Bel)
1965 Noél De Pauw (Bel)
1964 Jacques Anquetil (Fra)
1963 Benoni Beheyt (Bel)
1962 Rik Van Looy (Bel)
1961 Frans Aerenhouts (Bel)
1960 Frans Aerenhouts (Bel)