Ghent-Wevelgem will move its starting point from Ghent starting in 2020 and for the next six years will move to Ypres in West Flanders near the French border.

The spring classic, which was first held in 1934, has had its starting point at Deinze, 15 km outside Ghent, since 2004.

Ypres, located about 70 km west of Ghent, has had a long association with the race, being a point on the route from 1945 to 1991 and from 2013 to 2019.

The start now takes place at the famous Grote Markt square, but organizers insist that the name and identity of the race will not change.

Ghent-Wevelgem differs from other one-day races in the Flemish cycling week in that it does not pass through the Flemish Ardennes region. Instead, the race heads to the windswept North Sea coast of northwestern Belgium, then down toward Ypres for the iconic Kemmelberg climb and the long ride to Wevelgem. For the past three editions, a gravel sector called Plugstreet was established around the old World War I battlefield south of Ypres.

"The Ghent-Wevelgem route is a quartet. The endless Molen plains, the unforgiving Kemmelberg, the historic Plugstreet, and the long straight line from Ypres to Wevelgem.

"Along numerous cemeteries, in front of and past monuments, the race traverses a former war landscape."

"By bringing not only the transit point but also the start of the men's elite race to Ypres, the organization further strengthens its identity ."

and "the organization has been able to create a new identity for itself by bringing the men's elite race to Ypres.

The partnership with Ypres will continue for at least six years, from 2020 to 2025. Mayor Emily Tarpe explained that the cancellation of the one-time World War I Remembrance Race in 2018 gave the city the financial wherewithal to host the Ghent-Wevelgem start.

"We are very proud of this cooperation. 'It is a big thing for our image to have such a big sporting event coming to Ypres. Having such a big sporting event come to Ypres is a big thing for our image."

"It is a great opportunity for us and we welcome it as another top-level sporting event, following the start of the Tour de France stage in 2014."

Ghent-Wevelgem 2020 will take place on Sunday, March 29.