Peter Sagan was the winner of the 2016 Gent-Wevelgem, prevailing in a four-man sprint at the end of the race.
Top 10
1. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff)
2. Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto Jumbo) + 0:00
3. Vyacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha) + 0:00
4. Fabian Cancellara (Trek) + 0:00
5. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) + 0:12
6. Fernando Gaviria (Etixx-Quickstep) + 0:12
7. Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Soudal) + 0:12
8. Jacopo Guarnieri (Team Katusha) + 0:12
9. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) + 0:12
10. Michael Morkov (Tinkoff) + 0:12
The Spring Classics season kicks into full gear as the peloton take on Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, with a steeper climb, a strong start list and 243 kilometres to contend against. Join The Roar for live coverage from 11:30pm (AEDT).
It is going to be a killer start list to take on the 2016 Gent-Wevelgem, traditionally the major lead up race to the Tour of Flanders. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep), Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) are all among the riders taking part.
Michal Kwiatowski (Sky) though was the man to take out E3 Harelbeke on Friday even if he isn’t participating in Gent-Wevelgem. Peter Sagan finished second and looks to be in some ominous form, with Fabian Cancellara also making the cut into the front group and sprinting well to finish fourth.
Last year’s edition of the Gent-Wevelgem was one of the best races of the year. Strong winds, cobbled hills and a flat finish all combined to give us action all day long. In the end Luca Paoloini (Katusha) took the race out, but he has not returned to defend his title.
The course sees 32km of flat on the run into the finish, and it is generally a race as the sprinters who were dropped desperately try to get back onto the leading group after plenty of cobbled hills where they get undoubtedly dropped. Because of the strong winds last year, it proved to be a bridge too far though.
With the likes of Arnaud Demare (FDJ) and Henrich Haussler (IAM) both lining up, plus some already mentioned there will be no doubt a strong chase.
The most feared climb on the route is the Kemmelberg. It will be climbed twice after 172 and 209 km of racing respectively and is quite literally a nightmare. However, when you consider that the Baneberg, Monteberg and Kemmelberg will be climbed within 12km of each other and there are 10 climbs in the last 100km with 30 of those flat it becomes a real test of a rider’s mettle.
When they climb the Kemmleberg for the second time, from the steeper side it will be 400 metres on a 12 per cent gradient with a maximum of 22 per cent.
Prediction
This is going to be a cracker of a race. A brilliant start list, coupled with an entertaining course. Alexander Kristoff looks to have the goods for mine because he can sprint and shouldn’t have to waste any energy catching back on. Watch for Fabian Cancellara though if he is dropped.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the 2016 Gent-Wevelgem from 11:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your comments in the section below as the race progresses.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to come in the morning. I've been at it for 6 hours with the cricket before this and am stuffed. Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2016 Gent-Wevelgem. Plenty of Spring Classics coming up so be sure to check in for our coverage of them with the Tour of Flanders next Sunday. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage tonight. Goodnight all!
Scott Pryde
Expert
GENT-WEVELGEM 2016 top 10: 1. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) 2. Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto Jumbo) + 0:00 3. Vyacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha) + 0:00 4. Fabian Cancellara (Trek) + 0:00 5. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) + 0:12 6. Fernando Gaviria (Etixx-Quickstep) + 0:12 7. Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Soudal) + 0:12 8. Jacopo Guarnieri (Team Katusha) + 0:12 9. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) + 0:12 10. Michael Morkov (Tinkoff) + 0:12
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just waiting for the official results to come through. Should have them with you shortly. Looks like Demare sprinted the second group home.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The second chase group were not far behind at all as they came into te finishing straight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cancellara was certainly fourth. Vanmarcke looks to have just gotten over Kuznetsov.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Second group are under 1km to go and Cancellara leads all the way in. Sagan swings off and then doesn't go. He swings again having a look and here goes Kuznetsov. He launches and Sagan has plenty to do. He comes off the wheel and he will take it! Sagan wins it, looks like he was ahead of Vanmarcke and then Kuznetsov. Will have confirmation in a moment. PETER SAGAN wins the 2016 GENT-WEVELGEM
Scott Pryde
Expert
Into the final kilometre and the gap is still 45. Cancellara leads from Vanmarcke and then Sagan. Vyacheslav Kuznetsov way out to the right.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Peter Sagan hits the front and spends more time looking over the shoulder than where he is going.
Scott Pryde
Expert
2km to go and the cat and bouse is about to start here. Attacks coming out of the pleootn as well, but they are too far back here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Peter Sagan seems to be starting to try and skip a turn or two here. He is fully prepared or the bunch sprint but wants to make sure no one attacks.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The gap just isn't budging, doesn't matter that this peloton do. 3.5 k to go and the gap is still 45 seconds to go as riders begin to fall by te wayside.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Under 5km to go and the gap is 45 seconds.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Brief attack out of the peloton that involved Van Avermate but that didn't work as they are reeled back in.
Scott Pryde
Expert
5.5 km to go now and the gap is still 45 seconds as we come into the outskirts of Wevelgem
Scott Pryde
Expert
Couple of riders making a attack up the road out of the second group but it really looks like time is running out back there. May have already ran out in fact.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, one final reminder of those out in front: Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto Jumbo), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Fabian Cancellara (Trek), Vyacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Brief resurgence by the peloton, but it is over. 45 seconds again with 7 km to go and it is going to take a minor miracle to pull them back now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Luke Rowe coming to the front and this front group are looking a fraction more laboured. 35 seconds with under 9 km to go and this gap is starting to fall.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Looks like Bryan Coquard is startign to struggle to hang on.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Under 10 km to go and the gap is 37 seconds. Are the peloton coming back? They have taken 8 seconds to and Etixx are running a team time trial back in the pack.