2023 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne Race Preview
The details of this year's 2023 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The first full weekend of the Belgian classics season gets underway with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the traditional Sunday companion to Saturday's Het Nieuwsblad. While it lacks the prestige of some of its more famous cobbled neighbours, Kuurne offers a fascinating early-season test that can hint at the form of the major favourites ahead of the spring campaign proper.
The 197-kilometre route heads south from Kuurne before looping back through the Flemish Ardennes, taking in a series of short but punishing climbs in the second half of the race. The Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Kanarieberg feature among the key ascents, though unlike the Tour of Flanders they are tackled only once, meaning the race tends to come together for a finale that suits a powerful classics rider or a well-organised team with a designated sprinter capable of handling the punchy terrain.
Mathieu van der Poel arrives as one of the headline names after a strong start to the season, and the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider will be looking to build momentum ahead of the Monument campaign. Wout van Aert is another whose presence always elevates any race he enters, with Jumbo-Visma likely to play a controlling role as they did so effectively throughout last season. Mads Pedersen showed during his 2022 world championship campaign and subsequent classics season that he belongs at the very highest level of this kind of racing, and the Trek-Segafredo man will be dangerous.
Defending champion Christophe Laporte will be eager to show that his 2022 victory was no fluke, and the Frenchman has developed into one of the most complete classics riders in the peloton. Keep an eye also on Jasper Stuyven and any number of Belgian hopefuls who will be riding in front of passionate home crowds. Early season form can be unpredictable, but the quality of the startlist ensures this should be a compelling watch.
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