This is the second big rehearsal before the Tour of Flanders after the E3 Classic.
Across Flanders, more than 170 runners will compete on the Belgian cobblestones this Wednesday.
At the E3 Classic, we expected a showdown between Belgian Wout van Aert and his biggest cyclocross rival Mathieu Van der Poel.
But a fall by the first allowed the second to establish himself as boss ahead of Stuyven and van Aert who was able to recover.
Fully fired up, “VDP” was expected to do the double against Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday.
But certainly too worn out by Wednesday's race, he was unable to resist the excellent Mads Pedersen who won in the sprint.
Aligned with Across Flanders, the Dane is one of the favorites alongside Belgians van Aert and Philipsen, winner of Milan-San Remo earlier in the season.
Last year, Frenchman Christophe Laporte won the race in Waregem.
But the rider from the Visma - Lease a Bike team is unwell and has to give up the race this year as well as the Tour of Flanders.
On Wednesday, Valentin Madouas or even Axel Zinglé are the best chances of victory for France, even if the competition is tough with Matteo Jorgenson, winner of Paris-Nice or even Marc Hirschi.
Across Flanders will be broadcast from 2:15 p.m. this Wednesday March 27 on the Channel L'Équipe and on Eurosport 2.