2024 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne Race Preview
The details of this year's 2024 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The spring classics season gets underway in earnest on the roads of West Flanders as the peloton lines up for Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the traditional companion race to Omloop Het Nieuwsblad that rounds out the opening weekend of Belgian racing. While its older sibling often grabs the headlines, KBK has a character all of its own, generally favouring a more explosive and punchy style of racing that can suit sprinters with a bit of punch as much as the hardened classics specialists.
The race rolls out of Kuurne and makes its long loop south toward Brussels before turning back north and heading for home, taking in a collection of short but sharp climbs along the way. The hellingen are less brutal than those found on the roads of Flanders further east, but they are enough to thin the bunch and make life difficult for pure sprinters who lack the ability to handle repeated punchy efforts. The finale around Kuurne tends to reward riders who can survive everything the race throws at them and still produce something in the closing kilometres.
Mathieu van der Poel arrives fresh from his off-season and will be eyeing a strong start to his classics campaign. Wout van Aert, returning to competitive action after his serious crash at the Vuelta, will be watched closely to see what condition he brings. Mads Pedersen is always dangerous on these roads and has the versatility to follow moves or contest a bunch sprint. Jasper Philipsen and his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates will be working hard to create a situation that suits their sprinting ace. Tim Merlier and Arnaud De Lie will also fancy their chances if the race comes down to a reduced bunch finish, as both possess the power to cope with a tough day before unleashing in the final straight.
Weather could play a significant role, as it so often does in early March in Belgium. Cold temperatures and crosswinds across the open Flemish countryside can split the race apart at unexpected moments, and teams without strong numerical support at the front of the peloton can find themselves isolated before the serious climbs even arrive.
Expect an animated race with plenty of early attacking, a period of controlled racing through the middle portion, and then a frantic final hour as teams jostle for position ahead of the decisive climbs. Whether the finish comes down to a small group or a larger sprint, the roads around Kuurne should provide a fitting and exciting conclusion to the opening weekend of the 2024 cobbled classics season.
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