Gent - Wevelgem 2015: Favourites

Nine times out of ten, Gent-Wevelgem boils down to a sprinters fest. But it’s the kind of sprinter who is in love with both cobbles and hills. Think the likes of title-holder John Degenkolb and Peter Sagan, a podium-regular in Gent-Wevelgem. Cyclingstage.com brings you the main contenders in edition 2015. (Slideshow route/profile)

John Degenkolb
The title-holder showed brilliant form by outsprinting the likes of Valverde on a steep 17% ramp in Dubai last February. Remember Paris-Roubaix 2014 and you’ll know he loves cobbles too. And remember last sunday’s Milaan-San Remo and we’ll know he is a winner.

Alexander Kristoff
Without a doubt Kristoff had a wonderful winter, since he ruled the sprints in Qatar and was victorious in Oman also. His win in San Remo 2014 turned the Norwegian into a real killer and he went on to take two stages in the Tour de France. Next? A Flemish party?

Peter Sagan
Three times in a row on the podium, a feat crowned by the 2013 victory. Last year he was outsprinted by Degenkolb and the year before that Sagan soloed to victory after escaping the break with 3 kilometres left. By claiming a Tirreno stage the wonder-boy showed he is up for a good week in Flandres. The E3 turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment, so Gent-Wevelgem could be his revenge…

Edvald Boasson Hagen
Won Gent-Wevelgem in 2009, only 21 years of age. Did not live up to his huge promise in recent years, but may be his breakthrough race can now become his comeback?

Ian Stannard
Brilliant in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Heading for the finish with three Etixx-powerhouses and racing them all to sherds. Impressive.

Sep Vanmarcke
Stannard was strong in Omloop het Nieuwsblad, but Vanmarcke was even stronger. Due to failing equipment he didn’t make it to the podium. Still, at least one win in Flandres this week is definitely to be expected.

Niki Terpstra
Always one to watch when we are racing cobbles. The Paris-Roubaix winner showed good form by winning the Tour of Qatar as early as February. But now is his tim to reap. Terpstra and Flandres, that’s nothing short of a love affair.