April 01, 2009
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Photos

Eric Vanderaerden at Ghent Wevelgem in 1989

Ghent-Wevelgem is one of Belgium’s classic April races, held every year on the Wednesday between the bookending weekends of The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The first race, held in 1934, was brutal, taking riders over rough cobblestone roads. It hasn’t gotten any easier.

Long called “the sprinter’s classic,” because of its relatively flat run-in, today riders must twice climb the very steep, narrow and cobbled Kemmelberg climb. It is here the race is often decided.

Graham Watson has been photographing the race since the 1980s. This week he’s sharing a few of his most memorable pictures. Be sure to check VeloNews.com on Wednesday for complete coverage of the 2008 edition.