Gent-Wevelgem is the second installment of the Flanders Classics, and kicks off a big week of Belgian racing for the men’s and women’s peloton. Gent-Wevelgem is an important test prior to the mid-week Dwars Door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders. 

The 2022 edition of the Women’s Gent-Wevelgem will include the famed Kemmelberg climb as well as several gravel Plugstreets and cobbled sectors.

Read on for FloBikes top five picks for this year’s Gent-Wevelgem. 

Marianne Vos

Jumbo-Visma’s Marianne Vos will return to defend her 2021 Victory. The Dutch superstar has only raced once this season, but after a successful cyclocross season ending with another world title, Vos is showing no signs of slowing. The Kemmelberg presents no problem for Vos, and she packs one of the best sprints in the peloton. 

Elisa Balsamo

Elisa Balsamo took third place in last year’s Gent-Wevelgem, which was perhaps an early indicator for the season the now world champion would have. 

Balsamo moved up to Trek-Segafredo after winning worlds, where she joined fellow Italian Elisa Longo Borghini. The two Elisas will make a powerful duo in the finale of Gent-Wevelgem. The only question is who will work for who? 

Marlen Reusser

The current Swiss road champion, Marlen Reusser will help round out a strong team of women at SD Worx, including Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky. Reusser has a capable sprinter to look after and enough power to turn the race on its head if an opportunity presents itself. A strong third place finish at 2022’s Bloeizone Fryslân Tour proves that Reusser is in great early season shape.

Lotte Kopecky

Teammate to Marlen Ruesser, Lotte Kopecky has a unique opportunity on SD Worx this year to ride for herself as the team does not have a specific leader going into Gent-Wevelgem. Add in the fact that former professional Anna van der Breggan will be in the team car during the race to give guidance, the Belgian champion will be one to follow closely.

Marta Bastianelli

Marta Bastianelli is a dangerous rider to let near the finish of any spring classic. The 2018 winner of Gent-Wevelgem was bested in last year’s sprint, but remains a perennial threat.

Bastianelli has already found winning form in 2022, claiming victory in Omloop van het Hageland. Teams such as Trek-Segafredo will be tasked with putting Bastianelli in difficulty in the hilly finale on Sunday.