Gent-Wevelgem is the first of a busy week of spring classics in Flanders. A technical course with gravel sectors and plenty of cobbled climbs, Gent-Wevelgem kicks off the peloton's final preparations for the Tour of Flanders the following weekend. 

Gent-Wevelgem is known as a sprinter's classic, but the series of cobbled climbs culminating in the mighty Kemmelberg 30 kilometers before the finish, provides an opportunity for escapees. 

Read on to discover four underdogs who could win the this Sunday's Gent-Wevelgem.

Danny Van Poppel

Danny Van Poppel was one of the 21 riders who survived an early-race attack with 180 kilometers to go in the 2021 edition of Gent-Wevelgem. A new addition to the Bora-Hansgrohe squad in 2022, Van Poppel will look after Sam Bennet should the race come down to a pack finish. In a reduced group however, the Dutchman is powerful enough to upset the favorites.

Peter Sagan

Peter Sagan has been plagued by injuries and illnesses over the past six-months, including several cases of COVID-19 as well as stomach issues which caused him to drop out of Stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico recently. 

In truth, Sagan has not showed the form in recent seasons which once powered him to three Gent-Wevelgem victories from. Sagan's last victory in Wevelgem came in 2018. Four years later, Sagan's has entered a new phase of his career on TotalEnergies. Will we see a resurgence of fire and form from the former world champion this Sunday?

Florian Sénéchal

Florian Sénéchal is a consistent Classics racer who took second overall in the 2020 edition of Gent-Wevelgem. With reliable teammates in Fabio Jakobsen and Davide Ballerini on Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, Sénéchal will be a major asset to the Belgian team if he survives the final ascent of the Kemmelberg.

Stefan Bissegger

Stefan Bissegger animated several stages of 2021 Paris-Nice before illness took him out of contention to defend his young rider's white jersey. The 23-year-old is a Time Trial that never hesitates to go on the attack. Bissegger, an aspiring solo escapist could give the peloton a run for their money if he manages to give them the slip in the hectic final 60 kilometers.