The organizers of Ghent-Wevelgem want to provide an opportunity for the classic riders to beat the sprinters in the next edition of the Belgian classic and so have included the steepest 23% slope of the Kemmelberg on the course.

For the first time in 40 years, the Ghent-Wevelgem peloton will tackle the Kemmelberg from the steepest part when the next edition takes place on March 27. The organizers have made the announcement in a statement to Het Nieuwsblad.

The riders will face the Kemmelberg twice.The first ascent is the traditional one, with a maximum gradient of 17%. Later they will go up the climb from the other side, with a slope that reaches 23%, a ramp that will be tackled for the first time since 1976.

From the top, there are still 34 kilometers to the finish Wevelgem. The organization wants to give more chances to classics specialists against the pure sprinters.

In 2015, Paolini beat Terpstra and Thomas in an epic and very windy edition of the race; Degenkolb won in 2014, Sagan in 2013, Boonen in 2004, 2011 and 2012, Eisel in 2010 and Boasson Hagen in 2009. The winners list also includes Freire, Hushovd, Cipollini, and Steels and has mostly been dominated by sprinters.

The Belgian WorldTour classic comes two days after E3 Harelbeke (March 25) and a week before the Tour of Flanders (April 3). The Three Days of De Panne will be held between the 29th and 31st of March.