One of the great semi-classics, Gent - Wevelgem has a long and storied history in the ManGame, and presents a leading opportunity at the C2 level for many of the one-day specialists of the CT peloton.
The Route:
The parcours takes its traditional form. Flat tarmac cutting through the windswept fields of Flanders make up the majority of the 246.1km course. But then the terrain gets tricky for the last third of the race: cobbles, climbs, and cobbled climbs demand the eventual winner be a versatile and resilient rider able to position themselves near the front for the sprint to the line.
Although not in theory a course immune to a bunch kick, in recent years that sprint has been from within a small leading group: a trio in fact, for both the 2024 and 2025 editions. But whether that pattern will hold is a real uncertainty.
The Favorites:
To begin our favorites analysis, let’s start here: it would be far faster and a fair bit easier (if much less informative) to discuss which riders don't have a chance to score well, rather than to discuss those who do. Our guide below calls out 50 riders, yet still omits a number of a strong rouleurs who have a reasonable claim to contention for a points return. We also have to bend the rules for inclusion to list the defending champion Basso, who returns with the same statline.
But we have to draw the line somewhere, else we might as well just shrug and reproduce the entire startlist.
Roughly speaking, we can split the leaders into four camps: the cobblers, the sprinters, the puncheurs, and the versatile threats that bring strength (73+) in at least two of those three categories. Which style of rider will be favored is hard to discern: it may depend greatly on break formation, the weather, and the dynamics of the peloton and which teams look to take control.
The Versatile Threats
Rider
Fl
HI
ST
CO
SP
De Gendt
76
73
77
75
65
Mayrhofer
74
73
75
71
76
Swift
75
73
75
73
69
Niu
72
72
76
56
74
Darbinyan
72
66
72
76
76
Serrano
70
73
76
76
60
Visser
73
73
75
65
74
Olei
69
74
73
51
75
Stallaert
73
63
70
77
75
Marte
71
73
73
75
66
Basso*
72
71
76
72
70
*included as defending champion
The closest thing the field has to an overall favorite is likely De Gendt of Incaline. He has excellent flat, stamina, and cobble stats, is capable on the hills, and has just enough kick to not be counted out if he reaches the line in a small group. Swift of Grieg, Serrano of Euskotren, and Marte of Bacharu bring a similar distribution of stats. Mayrhofer of DeNA is a little less surefooted on the cobbles, but trades it for a much stronger finishing kick. The rest of the entries on this shortlist will need the cobbled climbs to be taken on the easier side to cover whichever weaknesses is apparent for the parcours.
The Cobblers
Rider
Fl
HI
ST
CO
SP
Wisniowski
76
67
69
79
69
Neilands
77
69
74
78
71
Owen
73
69
73
78
64
Vangheluwe
79
65
76
74
62
Sanogo
73
71
71
76
69
Ulloa
72
70
73
77
68
Ariesen
75
68
74
75
70
Sommer
76
66
75
75
72
Curley
75
70
74
74
67
Van Gestel
74
71
76
74
70
Yechezkel
74
64
71
76
64
Giulietti
73
69
75
75
66
Mestric
73
70
69
76
55
Berckmoes
76
58
75
75
60
Heinrich
70
60
70
76
67
Sulimov
70
67
72
76
62
Orue
69
64
77
78
53
Richardson
70
66
66
77
59
Daniel
69
65
70
76
72
Ferreira
70
65
69
76
68
Of the stronger cobblers, Neilands of Karthago stands out as bringing sufficient stamina, punch, and kick to deliver a possible victory. The Deutsche WindGuard pair of Wisniowski and Sanogo lack ideal stamina but show great domain strength, while Owen of Simba Cement and Ulloa of THE ONE - Fox God also bring particularly promising skillsets.
The Sprinters
Rider
Fl
HI
ST
CO
SP
Kamberaj
75
69
73
68
79
Silva
75
68
69
72
77
Barbier
72
63
71
69
77
Baterdene
74
61
72
67
76
Kelly
74
69
69
67
75
Hennis
70
70
71
69
75
Noppe
75
69
74
73
75
Salby
75
65
75
69
75
Sarreau
74
64
72
71
75
Marin
74
65
70
67
75
Räim
73
66
72
70
75
Consonni
72
69
71
66
75
Skerl
72
66
71
67
75
The sprinters will need an easier day at the office to be in a position for the victory. The pair of Kamberaj and Silva from Deutsche WindGuard are particularly well-suited to managing over the challenging portion of the parcours. Riders like Kelly of Brandt, Hennis of Bacharu, and Noppe of Bianchi also look to have the right distribution of talents to maybe be in the picture.

The Puncheurs
Rider
Fl
HI
ST
CO
SP
Stocek
71
79
75
68
70
Svab
70
76
70
66
67
Gabburo
74
75
71
54
71
Lilovski
68
77
70
54
65
Laurance
73
76
74
70
66
Kelderman
66
78
74
58
63
Finally, of the puncheurs Stocek of Euskotren is another race favorite, but to deliver on that promise he will have to manage the cobbles in good enough stead. Laurance of Tafjord - Kraft also stands out as bringing enough versatility to be a serious contender for a strong result.
The Startlist:
Spoiler
Visser
Louis
Air New Zealand-Prada
Ruiz
Robinson Steven
Air New Zealand-Prada
Drakos
Nikolaos Michail
Air New Zealand-Prada
Reddish
Nick
Air New Zealand-Prada
Nunes
Hugo
Air New Zealand-Prada
Toneatti
Davide
Air New Zealand-Prada
Rex
Tim
Air New Zealand-Prada
Rodriguez
Juan Felipe
Air New Zealand-Prada
Marte
Jesus Roniel
Bacharu Mamachari Faito!
Hennis
Hasani
Bacharu Mamachari Faito!
Cole
Tyler
Bacharu Mamachari Faito!
Livyns
Arjen
Bacharu Mamachari Faito!
Skerl
Daniel
Bacharu Mamachari Faito!
Takape
Jone
Bacharu Mamachari Faito!
Gabburo
Davide
Bianchi Enel
Noppe
Christophe
Bianchi Enel
Bettles
Carter
Bianchi Enel
Turner
Ben
Bianchi Enel
Belletta
Dario
Bianchi Enel
Romele
Alessandro
Bianchi Enel
Van Mechelen
Vlad
Bianchi Enel
Raccagni
Andrea
Bianchi Enel
Stallaert
Joeri
Billstedt-Horn
Hollmann
Juri
Billstedt-Horn
Muller
Tobias
Billstedt-Horn
Gruel
Thibaud
Billstedt-Horn
Putz
Sebastian
Billstedt-Horn
Brenner
Marco
Billstedt-Horn
Kretschy
Moritz
Billstedt-Horn
Nordhagen
Truls
Billstedt-Horn
Kelly
Jacob
Brandt Cycling Team
Richardson
Chequan
Brandt Cycling Team
Mostov
Zeke
Brandt Cycling Team
Ferreira
Ricardo
Brandt Cycling Team
Bourgoyne
Lucas
Brandt Cycling Team
Cole
Owen
Brandt Cycling Team
Stolic
Mihajlo
Brandt Cycling Team
Lopez
Ian
Brandt Cycling Team
Vangheluwe
Warre
DeNA RoadStars
Mayrhofer
Marius
DeNA RoadStars
Heinrich
Nicolas
DeNA RoadStars
Ryuki
Uga
DeNA RoadStars
Van Sintmaartensdijk
Roel
DeNA RoadStars
Reynders
Jens
DeNA RoadStars
Minami
Kazuto
DeNA RoadStars
Adomaitis
Rokas
DeNA RoadStars
Kamberaj
Xhuliano
Deutsche WindGuard
Wisniowski
Lukasz
Deutsche WindGuard
Silva
Nihal
Deutsche WindGuard
Sanogo
Abou
Deutsche WindGuard
Pickrell
Riley
Deutsche WindGuard
Van Baarle
Dylan
Deutsche WindGuard
Ghani
Muhammad Suhaimi
Deutsche WindGuard
Flynn
Sean
Deutsche WindGuard
Barbier
Pierre
Duvel - Tsingtao
Niu
Yikui
Duvel - Tsingtao
Dewulf
Stan
Duvel - Tsingtao
Perez
Cristian
Duvel - Tsingtao
Nieuwenhuis
Joris
Duvel - Tsingtao
Watson
Samuel
Duvel - Tsingtao
De Witte
Mathias
Duvel - Tsingtao
Isidore
Noa
Duvel - Tsingtao
Stocek
Matus
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Darbinyan
Varsham
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Serrano
Javier
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Le Berre
Mathis
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Renard
Alexis
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Daniel
Maxime
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Kam
Chin Pok
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Darder
Sergi
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Swift
Connor
Grieg-Maersk
Dversnes
Fredrik
Grieg-Maersk
Van Gestel
Dries
Grieg-Maersk
Salby
Alexander
Grieg-Maersk
Sarreau
Marc
Grieg-Maersk
Klaris
Magnus Bak
Grieg-Maersk
Räim
Mihkel
Grieg-Maersk
Arnes
Daniel
Grieg-Maersk
De Gendt
Aime
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Granados
Kevin
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Dobre
Vlad-Nicolae
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Cote
Pier-Andre
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Gonzales
Andre Alexander
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Luehrs
Luis-Joe
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Escajadillo
Pablo
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Hobbs
Noah
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Kelderman
Wilco
JEWA TIROL
Sulimov
Alexander
JEWA TIROL
Orue
German Anibal
JEWA TIROL
Yatsevich
Kiril
JEWA TIROL
Manamalage
Nipuna Shira
JEWA TIROL
Eaton
Daniel
JEWA TIROL
Sommer
Jan
Jura GIANTS
Van Tricht
Stan
Jura GIANTS
Aebersold
Nils
Jura GIANTS
Holzer
Roman
Jura GIANTS
Rogers
Cameron
Jura GIANTS
Golliker
Joshua
Jura GIANTS
Christen
Jan
Jura GIANTS
Koerdt
Bjoern
Jura GIANTS
Neilands
Krists
Karthago
Muhindo
Jimmy
Karthago
Kozhatayev
Bakhtiyar
Karthago
Marin
Gabriel
Karthago
Biermans
Jenthe
Karthago
Bremanis
Ansis
Karthago
Tamm
Lauri
Karthago
Dellai
Mohamed Aziz
Karthago
Ariesen
Tim
Lotto-Caloi
Berckmoes
Jenno
Lotto-Caloi
Veyhe
Torkil
Lotto-Caloi
El Alouani
Driss
Lotto-Caloi
Van Aert
Wout
Lotto-Caloi
Meehan
Jamie
Lotto-Caloi
Rangel
Vinicius
Lotto-Caloi
Santos
Vinicius Silva
Lotto-Caloi
Hecht
Gage
McCormick Pro Cycling
Dujardin
Sandy
McCormick Pro Cycling
Hoehn
Alex
McCormick Pro Cycling
Granigan
Noah
McCormick Pro Cycling
Rodriguez
Brandon
McCormick Pro Cycling
Yzeiraj
Marildo
McCormick Pro Cycling
Kessler
Cole
McCormick Pro Cycling
Lecourt De Billot
Olivier
Minions
Sweeck
Laurens
Minions
Paleni
Enzo
Minions
Dressler
Luca
Minions
Gomez
Fausto Agustin
Minions
Guavita
Cesar David
Minions
Ndungu
Bernard
Minions
Tuyizere
Etienne
Minions
Mestric
Matija
Parmalat - Croatia
Roosen
Timo
Parmalat - Croatia
Consonni
Simone
Parmalat - Croatia
Mozzato
Luca
Parmalat - Croatia
Basso
Leonardo
Parmalat - Croatia
Miholjevic
Fran
Parmalat - Croatia
Pita Hidrobo
Alejandro
Parmalat - Croatia
Baksaas
Morthen Wang
Parmalat - Croatia
Tarvis
Peeter
Saubea
Crockett
Finn
Saubea
Petrov
Yordan
Saubea
Pollefliet
Gianluca
Saubea
Stepanov
Andrei
Saubea
Van Vliet
Indy
Saubea
Insausti
Jon Ander
Saubea
Koutounis
Aristeidis
Saubea
Noia
Carlo
Sauber Petronas Racing
Olei
Federico
Sauber Petronas Racing
Giulietti
Luigi
Sauber Petronas Racing
Putti
Riccardo
Sauber Petronas Racing
Menicucci
Samuele
Sauber Petronas Racing
Maccagli
Andrea Enrico
Sauber Petronas Racing
Chiarucci
Andrea
Sauber Petronas Racing
Scarponi
Luca
Sauber Petronas Racing
Owen
Logan
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Baterdene
Narankhuu
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Yechezkel
Aviv
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Rubenis
Pauls
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Schomber
Nils
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Medvedev
Sergey
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Malale
Said
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Kamau
Davis
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Svab
Jernej
Tafjord Kraft
Curley
Liam
Tafjord Kraft
Lilovski
Dobrin
Tafjord Kraft
Delbove
Joris
Tafjord Kraft
Laurance
Axel
Tafjord Kraft
Bonello
Daniel
Tafjord Kraft
Jasim Al-Ali
Abdulla
Tafjord Kraft
Ulloa
Jose Gerardo
THE ONE - Fox God
Arashiro
Yudai
THE ONE - Fox God
McGill
Scott
THE ONE - Fox God
De Laat
Jasper
THE ONE - Fox God
Kawasaki
Miori
THE ONE - Fox God
Kuroeda
Shiki
THE ONE - Fox God
Todome
Yuhi
THE ONE - Fox God
Wai Chu
Tsun
THE ONE - Fox God
We'll see who survives and thrives In Flanders Fields!
Edited by jackgibbs on 06-11-2026 02:37
First C2 race for us, not one of our favorites, but brought all the attackers in the hope that cobbles doesn't play too strong. Field looks too deep though.
Shooting myself in the foot by not realising I could do HC races means I really need Neilands to make the most of the chances he actually gets, so kinda aiming for the win here.
That said it's clear from last year that stamina is the most important stat, so might be difficult to compete with De Gendt and Serrano. Was hoping for some depth points from Muhindo too but given he's not even good enough to make the preview maybe got to reconsider that.
Looking forward to Sommer's first appearance as a team leader
I think he should actually have some decent chances for a Top 10 here; his good Fl comes in handy in the windy sections, stamina should be good enough - and then there's some decent sprinting as well. Good package.
Not as good as De Gendt obviously, who should indeed be the favourite. But we'll see
Easily the strongest CT cobbles field I can remember, so I'm again quite happy with the decision to pivot away from those for our C2 race days. I'm curious to see how the PCT teams will fare who made the opposite decision.
Fun and thorough preview jack, thank you! Good luck everyone!
Gent - Wevelgem 
Thanks jack for the preview!
