The elite men’s Gent-Wevelgem will be known as ‘In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem’ from 2026.
The name change is the race’s first since it was founded in 1934, and comes as part of a deal that will see the event start in the Belgian town of Middelkerke for the next 10 years.
Due to the change, the race organiser, Flanders Classics, has confirmed the course will be getting a “facelift” in 2026.
“We’re still working on what that final course will look like. But the Great War will remain inextricably linked to this race, and the intention is to retain the passages through Ypres city center in the final section of the race,” said Flanders Classics CEO Tomas Van Den Spiegel.
The course will, however, keep its windswept De Moeren section, the iconic climb of the Kemmelberg, and the narrow gravel roads known as ‘plugstreets’.
Commenting on the 10-year deal with Middelkerke, Van Den Spiegel said: “We are delighted to announce a long-term partnership here. Sustainable partnerships are, of course, something we are very keen to foster. The major change, a ten-year contract, and a high level of commitment have also prompted us to change the official name of the race to In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem.
“Of course, people will still talk about Gent-Wevelgem given its history, but this way we are further highlighting the unique DNA of this race. A new chapter, in other words, that we are eagerly looking forward to.”
The women’s race, which began in 2014, and has started in Ypres in recent years, will also change its location from 2026, now taking place on a loop starting and finishing in Wevelgem. Van Den Spiegel explained a start in Middelkerke was “impossible” for the women’s event, due to the maximum race distances imposed by the UCI.
Gent-Wevelgem’s makeover will not be the only race name change on the men’s WorldTour in 2026; in June this year, it was announced that the Critérium du Dauphiné will be known as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Middelkerke hosted the 2025 European Cyclo-cross Championships this past weekend. Belgium’s Toon Aerts and the Netherlands’ Inge Van der Heijden won the elite titles.
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