Gent-Wevelgem officially renamed 'In Flanders Fields - From Middelkerke to Wevelgem' for 2026

Gent-Wevelgem will be renamed 'In Flanders Fields - From Middelkerke to Wevelgem' from 2026 onwards, with the race start to move from Ypres to Middelkerke as part of a 10-year agreement announced by organiser Flanders Classics. 

The coastal town of Middelkerke, which hosted the UEC European Cyclocross Championships last weekend, and also hosted the Belgian Road Race Championships in 2022, will take over hosting duties from Ypres, whose contract ran out at the end of the 2025 editions, won by Mads Pedersen and Lorena Wiebes, respectively. 

From now until 2035, Middelkerke will serve as the start host for the men’s event, with Wevelgem hosting the finish as usual. For the women’s event, both the start and finish will be hosted by Wevelgem. 

"The UCI sets maximum race distances for women's events, and we are bound by those limits," explained Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics, in the official statement, as to why the Women's race will be hosted solely by Wevelgem.

"We are getting a complete overhaul of this race," laughed Jean-Marie Dedecker, Mayor of Middelkerke, at a press conference in quotes collected by Sporza, where the changes to the 87-year-old classic were revealed.

Dedecker confirmed that Middelkerke had one non-negotiable condition for the agreement, stating, "Gent had to be removed from the name, and Middelkerke definitely had to be included.”

Despite the name and location changes, race organisers have emphasised that the character of the race will remain intact. De Moeren, the Kemmelberg and the Plugstreets will remain as key features of the race, which was first held in 1934.

"One thing is certain: the Great War will always remain deeply intertwined with this race. This race is steeped in world history, giving it a truly unmatched identity in the world of cycling. That is something we will keep building on," said Van Den Spiegel in the official statement.

This announcement follows news from two months ago that Wevelgem will host the finale of the classic until at least 2031, ensuring continuity for the finish of this historic race. 

This prestigious Belgian classic isn’t the only major race that is set to undergo a name change for 2026. The key warm-up stage race for the Tour de France, the Critérium du Dauphiné, is set to be known as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes from next year. 

The 88th edition of the event, with both the men’s and women’s races, is set to take place on 29 March 2026. These changes will not impact the Youth races, which have been held on a dedicated day in May since 2024.