The start is in historic Ypres before the riders navigate Flanders’ flat fields in northwesterly direction. The route goes 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 105 kilometres in the saddle. 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 14 kilometres. 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 a little over 34 kilometres. 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.
Marlen Reusser is title holder. Last year, she attacked with 40 kilometres and reached the summit of the Kemmelberg 1 minute ahead of the chase group before she extended her lead on the flat run-in to Wevelgem. The Suisse powerhouse succeeded Elisa Balsamo, who outsprinted Marianne Vos and Maria Giulia Confalonieri in 2022.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX women’s Gent-Wevelgem 2024.
Gent-Wevelgem for women starts at 13:15 and the race is expected to finish around 17:50 – both are local times (CET).
Other interesting reads:
– live race report
– start list
– Gent-Wevelgem 2023
– cycling calendar 2024
Gent – Wevelgem for women 2024: routes, profiles, more
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