74th Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: 27 February, 2022

[Pantani_lives]

On the second day of the opening weekend the cycling gods created Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. This year this race has been redesigned. The Kwaremont is out, but thirteen climbs and four cobbled sectors should make it selective enough, although a strong sprinter can also win after the flat local lap. They start at 12.05 PM in Kuurne for a distance of 195 km. The finish is expected around 5 PM.

Climbs:

1. Tiegemberg (178 km)
2. Kattenberg (160 km)
3. Boembeek (139 km)
4. Bossenaarstraat (120 km)
5. Berg Ten Houte (117 km)
6. La Houppe (110 km)
7. Hameau des Papin (92 km)
8. Le Bourliquet (83 km)
9. Mont Saint-Laurent (78 km)
10. Kruisberg (68 km)
11. Hotond (67 km)
12. Côte du Trieu (60 km)
13. Kluisberg (52 km)

Cobbled sectors:
**Holleweg 159 km
**Gieterijstraat 122 km
**Etikhovestraat 122 km
**Beerbosstraat 38 km

Recent winners:
2014 Tom Boonen
2015 Mark Cavendish
2016 Jasper Stuyven
2017 Peter Sagan
2018 Dylan Groenewegen
2019 Bob Jungels
2020 Kasper Asgreen
2021 Mads Pedersen

Let's hope for another titillating race!

 

[Velolover2]

With no Wout, its hard to look past Sonny here.

 

[Samamba]

With no Wout, its hard to look past Sonny here.

Too many teams wanting a bunch sprint here.

 

[SafeBet]

Ewan vs Jakobsen for the first time this year.

 

[yaco]

Providing Lotto can get Ewan through the cobbles ( he's very ordinary ) then he's the number one favorite.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Yes, with this line-up a sprint is likely. Ewan, Jakobsen and Merlier; perhaps Coquard or Nizzolo.

 

[Samamba]

I've seen a lot of riders say that the parcours change made it significantly harder. Hills are harder than the ones in Omloop and there's a tailwind towards Kuurne. I can see Quick Step going aggressive with that team even tho they have Jakobsen.

 

[SafeBet]

I've seen a lot of riders say that the parcours change made it significantly harder. Hills are harder than the ones in Omloop and there's a tailwind towards Kuurne. I can see Quick Step going aggressive with that team even tho they have Jakobsen.

Considering how the team looked yesterday, I'd say Jakobsen is still their best option for today.

 

[Salvarani]

Yes, with this line-up a sprint is likely. Ewan, Jakobsen and Merlier; perhaps Coquard or Nizzolo.

Hopefully a couple of teams and other riders will want a harder race or at least will try. If it still comes together or end up being a reduced sprint riders like Stuyven, Kristoff, GVA, Naesen, Colbrelli, Pidcock and Aranburu could very will get a win here.

The sprinters could probably make the final selection but it will be more of a chaotic sprint than a normal lead-out.

Could be a fun race. It was a good race yesterday. Hoping for the same here.

 

[Velolover2]

I didn't notice that Kanarieberg and Kwaremont were no longer a feature in the race.. my bad.

That makes a sprint the most likely outcome.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

If the sprinters aren't dropped on the combination of Bourliquet and Saint Laurent, I think this will almost certainly come back together for a bunch sprint.

 

[Netserk]

KBK ME 2023 UCI 1.PRO - Motorroute

Bekijk, print en download de motorroute 'KBK ME 2023 UCI 1.PRO' van peter.debaveye@telenet.be (200 km).

www.routeyou.com

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I very much hope Jakobsen will win this race. Since his crash in Poland 2020, in each race he does (and suits the sprinters), I hope he wins. I guess, for me, this will never change. I just cannot be a fan of another sprinter any more, when Fabio is at the startline.

So for today, I hope it‘s Jakobsen-Ewan for 1-2… Ewan also is a great sprinter and a great person.

 

[RedheadDane]

I very much hope Jakobsen will win this race. Since his crash in Poland 2020, in each race he does (and suits the sprinters), I hope he wins.

And how amazing is that!?
We have, in a relative short time - when considering the severity of his injuries - gone from just hoping he'd survive, to thinking that maybe - through a miracle - he could become a pro cyclist again, to actually consider him a realistic favourite in races.

 

[RedheadDane]

Meanwhile, about the racing:

Break:

1		46	VAN DER HOORN Taco
2		137	MAS Lluís
3		141	DURBRIDGE Luke
4		197	KRUL Wessel
5		223	LIVYNS Arjen
6		226	TIETEMA Bas
7		235	HESTERS Jules

Peloton at 2:15

 

[RedheadDane]

And over in Hageland - yes, I'll be hijacking this thread to talk about that race - they even put Merckx' position on the race map!

 

[Akuryo]

And how amazing is that!?
We have, in a relative short time - when considering the severity of his injuries - gone from just hoping he'd survive, to thinking that maybe - through a miracle - he could become a pro cyclist again, to actually consider him a realistic favourite in races.

Actually crazy. Dude went from the brink of death to one of the best sprinters in all of cycling within half a year basically. I'm so happy whenever he crosses the line in first place. Not just because I was always a Quickstep supporter but also because of his backstory!

 

[RedheadDane]

Kool, Reusser, Gonzalez, and Cordon Ragot at the front.
Flora Perkins chasing.

Not sure much has been happening in the area of Kuurne.

 

[sir fly]

Steppers eyeing redemption.
Grenadiers assisting.

 

[Samamba]

Ineos going for it

 

[Salvarani]

Great! Make the race as hard it can be

 

[SafeBet]

Nice to see Ineos trying to make the race hard. Ewan looks comfortable so far.

 

[Samamba]

I don't get why LTS opted for Ewan but then didn't give him one out of Campenaerts, Vermeersch or Van Moer to help him out. I wouldn't be surprised if he survives but doesn't have teammates left (maybe De Buyst). Their team isn't strong here. Complete opposite to QS.

 

[sir fly]

Pronunciation's letting down Hatch a bit.

 

[Samamba]

Ewan nowhere to be seen this time.

EDIT: he's coming to the front right now