Gent-Wevelgem to change name in 2026 for first time since 1934 to In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem

One of Belgium’s oldest ongoing professional bike races, Gent-Wevelgem, has changed its name for the first time since 1934 and moved both race start locations away from the Menin Gate in Ypres, which has played host since 2020.

It will now be called In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem, with the former starting a new ten-year partnership to host the start of the men’s one-day Spring Classic, and the women’s race start will be moved to Wevelgem, where both races will finish.

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) has won the past two editions in a thrilling sprint á deux against Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and in dominant solo fashion this past season, and though the start has changed, laps of the Kemmelberg climb will remain the key point on the race.

The women’s race has had different finales, however, with top sprinter Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) scorching her way to back-to-back victories in the past two seasons.

Also key to the route will be the narrow gravel Plugstreets and the windy De Moeren section, where racing can often blow up in the opening couple of hours. Van Den Spiegel also ensured that World War I would still be honoured as it has been with the Ypres start, with the riders set to pass through Ypres’ centre en route to the final.

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“Work on how the final course will look is still very much ongoing. One thing is certain: the Great War will always remain deeply intertwined with this race,” added Van Den Spiegel.

“The aim is also to keep the passage through the centre of Ypres in the final part of the race. This race is steeped in world history, giving it a truly unmatched identity in the world of cycling. That is something we will keep building on.”

Van Den Spiegel also explained how the UCI’s maximum race distance for women’s races was the reason why the elite women’s race couldn’t also be moved to Middelkerke, so Wevelgem made sense as the start location, too. The youth races will maintain the Ypres start as has been seen in recent seasons.

The first running of the renamed In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem and the 88th and 13th respective editions of the men’s and women’s Gent-Wevelgem will take place on March 29, 2026, on the Wednesday before the Tour of Flanders.