The 145.4km race was held between the Menin Gate in Ypres and Wevelgem. The day began with the Scherpenberg, followed by the Vidaignberg, Beneberg and Monteberg. The riders then tackled the Monteberg for a second time and finally the Kemmelberg before taking on a relatively flatter 20km stretch to the finish in Wevelgem.
The plugstreets, typical Belgian gravel roads, featured in this year’s edition and added an extra challenge to the racing. Early attacks were neutralised by the field as the peloton ramped up the pace in ever-changing wind conditions. Even though more attacks followed during the next 60km, none proved to be successful. On the ascents of the hellingen, several riders were dropped off the back and a thinned out field made it into the decisive phase of the race.
The reduced peloton split even further on the cobbled Kemmelberg, with 11 riders going clear in what proved to be the race’s most decisive moment. The chase of this group was on in earnest, with Emma Norsgaard, Elise Chabbey and Marlen Reusser not far off the pace, but the sprint to decide the victory ultimately came down to the leaders, with D’hoore taking the win.
Emma crossed the line in the first few positions within the chasing group behind, to finish Gent-Wevelgem as our top-placed rider in 14th place.
Source
