The Organisers of Gent-Wevelgem have announced that this year’s races are “to be a tribute to the victims of the attacks in Brussels on Tuesday, as well as to all victims of senseless violence, both past and present.”
No fewer than seven separate races are to take place this Sunday in addition to a cyclosportive and the organisers have also announced that additional security measures will be in place at the race.
On Saturday evening, on the eve of the races, a wreath will be laid under the Menin Gate in Ypres during the Last Post. UCI officials will be in attendance, as well as representatives of the national teams from all across the globe, who are competing in the Nations’ Cup races for Junior Boys and Junior Girls.
The statement from the organisers regarding security and the tribute is as follows:
The Organisers of Gent-Wevelgem are deeply shocked and saddened by the events of last Tuesday. First and foremost, their thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Security
The Organisers aim to assure the highest possible standard of safety for the public as well as the racers and race followers. To this aim we are working closely with both local and federal police authorities, the mayors of the cities involved and all other relevant government services.
Additional stewards and safety personnel will be deployed at key locations along the course. These include the start in Deinze, the finish in Wevelgem, the Grand Place of Ypres and the Kemmelberg. Spectators are specifically asked not to bring any bags and/or backpacks. Compliance with this directive will be closely monitored by police authorities and the Organizers. A CP-OPS command post will ensure the operational coordination.
Respect and tribute
Since 2014, the WorldTour race has asserted itself as an ambassador for peace by keeping alive the memory of the hundreds of thousands of victims of the Great War. In light of the deplorable events in Brussels last Tuesday, the Organizers will make an extra effort to promote this message of peace.
On Saturday, every participant in the Cyclo tour will be given a poppy. Cycling tourists can then lay their poppies at the Menin Gate as a show of support.
On Saturday evening, on the eve of the races, a wreath will be laid under the Menin Gate in Ypres during the Last Post. UCI officials will be in attendance, as well as representatives of the national teams from all across the globe, who are competing in the Nations’ Cup races for Junior Boys and Junior Girls.
On Sunday, the Grote Markt in Ypres will provide the setting for an impressive corridor created by the flags of the 83 countries that fought in the Great War and, in doing so, laid the foundations for our modern society with its freedom and values. The corridor symbolizes the cross-border solidarity that exists between people and sets the stage for the passage of the peloton across the Grand Place of Ypres.
The Kemmelberg, a strategic battlefield during WW I and always one of the race highlights, is another key location where Gent-Wevelgem will use its international appeal to promote the solidarity between peoples and nations. Little flags of the many countries that fought in the Westhoek region will be handed out to the spectators, enabling the cycling fans to cheer the riders while spreading a message of peace.
This year’s edition of Gent-Wevelgem is to be a tribute to the victims of the attacks in Brussels on Tuesday, as well as to all victims of senseless violence, both past and present.
At the start of each of the 7 races a minute’s silence will be observed in memory of the victims.
