Gallery: 2017 Gent-Wevelgem—In Flanders Fields
Plugstreets add excitement while Greg Van Avermaet positions himself as a five star favourite for the Ronde Van Vlaanderen
Sky and BMC at the head of the peloton on the newly introduced plugstreets.
Loïc Chetout (Confidis) and Preben Van Hecke (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise) from the breakaway on the Plugstreets.
Zdenek Stybar briefly went clear on the plugstreets.
Greg Van Avermaet was tucked safely in the peloton on the plugstreet.
Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet outsprinted Jens Keukeleire for his third classics victory this season.
Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) rounded out the podium but it was a frustrating day for the world champion.
Michael Matthews, Tom Boonen and John Degenkolb lead the peloton across the line.
The 2017 Gent-Wevelgem IN Falnders Fields podium.
The route of the 60th edition of Gent-Wevelgem took the peloton 250 km from the city of Gent in the northwest of Belgium to Wevelgem in the heart of Flanders.
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The race commemorates the fallen of the First World War passing through the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres and by cemeteries honouring the fallen soldiers of many nations. The race adopted the name In Flanders Fields in 2016 after the moving poem written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915.
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) won in a two-up sprint in Wevelgem edging out Jen Keukeleire (Orica-Scott). Behind, Peter Sagan (BOra-Hansgrohe) took the final podium position ahead of Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors).
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It was Van Avermaet’s second victory of the week after winning E3-Harelbeke on Friday. He also won the opening race of the spring classics, Omloop Het Newsblad, in February and came second at Strade Bianche. He has solidified himself as the top favourite for the Tour of Flanders with his strong showings this spring. Canadian Hugo Houle (Ag2r-La Mondial) rode in the days breakaway and finished 34th in the peloton.
In the Women’s WorldTour race, Lotta Lepistö (Cervélo-Bigla) sprinted to victory from the peloton taking her second victory of the week after triumphing in Wednesday Dwars Door Vlaanderen.
