Gent–Wevelgem is the cobbled Classic that runs through Flanders Fields, over the old battlegrounds of the First World War. First run in 1934, it climbs the Kemmelberg, crosses the unpaved Plugstreets, and exposes the bunch to vicious crosswinds across the open plains. It is friendlier to fast finishers than Flanders or Roubaix, which is why sprinters and classics riders both target it. Seven riders share the record with three wins, among them Rik Van Looy, Mario Cipollini and Peter Sagan. In 2026 Jasper Philipsen won from a small group in Wevelgem. When the wind blows it becomes one of the most chaotic races of the spring.