The start is in historic Ypres before the route navigates Flanders’ flat fields in westerly direction. The riders go as far west as De Moeren, a marshy area that’s wickedly exposed to the North Sea winds, before returning inland.
The hilly zone begins after 98 kilometres. The riders tackle a series of short and sharps hills in quick succession. Zigzagging through an area close to the French border they tackle the Scherpenberg, Baneberg, Monteberg and Kemmelberg within a 14 kilometres frame. There is hardly time for a breather, as they have to do it all over again after merely 7 kilometres on the flat.
The Monteberg misses in the second series, but something else is added to the mix. This time the Kemmelberg is tackled on another side. Kemmelberg Ossuaire is the steepest and longest side of the ‘helling’, with a maximum gradient of over 20%. Moreover, it’s cobbled.
After Kemmelberg Ossuaire the riders enter the flat finale of 34.4 kilometres long. The first part goes to the north and after a passage in Ypres the last 20 kilometres go in easterly direction to the finish. This entire section is played out on wide and exposed roads.
Elisa Balsamo is title holder. Last year, she outsprinted Marianne Vos and Maria Giulia Confalonieri on the Vanackerestraat in Wevelgem.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX women’s Gent-Wevelgem 2023.
Other interesting reads: results and start list Gent-Wevelgem for women 2023.
Gent – Wevelgem for women 2023: route, profiles, more
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