Team Bahrain Victorious head into Gent-Wevelgem with a versatile roster capable of delivering results in both a selective race and a bunch sprint. The team welcomes back Phil Bauhaus, who returns to the line-up for the third of the Spring Classics, while Fred Wright will be eager to bounce back after a challenging E3 and rediscover the strong form he showed at Milan-San Remo.

Joining Bauhaus and Wright are Alberto Bruttomesso, Kamil Gradek, Matej Mohorič, Andrea Pasqualon, and Rob Stannard.

The 250km race departs from the iconic Menin Gate in Ypres, where the peloton will need to stay alert from the start with exposed roads and potential crosswinds posing early challenges. If the bunch remains together through the opening phase, the race begins to take shape 110km in as riders face the first cobbled sector.

From there, the difficulty increases sharply. At 148km, the first of nine climbs begins with the Scherpenberg, followed by the Baneberg, Monteberg, and the cobbled Kemmelberg — all tackled in quick succession. The same climbs return in the following circuit, before the final ascent of the Kemmelberg from the opposite side. From the summit, just 30km of flat roads stand between the riders and the finish line in Wevelgem.

Sports Director Aart Vierhouten shared his thoughts ahead of the race:

“We come to Gent-Wevelgem with options. If the race splits, we hope to have Fred in the mix, but Bauhaus has also proven he can stay with the moves and be very effective in a sprint. This race can be decided in multiple ways — whether it’s a solo move, a reduced group, or a bunch finish — and we’re confident that with the group we have, we can come out with a good result.”