No Omloop Het Nieuwsblad without Kuurne Brussel Kuurne! This standalone spring classic, together with Omloop Het Opening Weekend, is – especially considering the winners in recent years – equally important and prominent. As with every year, the question in Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024 is: will we see an attacker or a sprinter standing on the highest podium? Cycling-Classics.com delves into the history of the race and provides an extensive preview with this Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024 preview!
Preview Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024
None other than Tom Boonen can claim the title of the record holder of Kuurne. The Bomber from Balen took home the ‘donkey’ in 2007, 2009, and 2014. Twelve riders have won KBK twice, including Steven de Jongh – who exactly twenty years ago secured his first victory by outsmarting Paolo Bettini in the sprint. Out of the 75 editions, the victory went to a Belgian 54 times. The Netherlands follows at a respectful distance with 10 wins. Denmark follows with 3 wins.
Two of them occurred within the last five editions: Mads Pedersen sprinted to victory three years ago, Kasper Asgreen soloed to victory in 2020. Tiesj Benoot is the defending champion, successfully capitalizing on Jumbo-Visma’s numerical advantage. In 2022, the victory went to Fabio Jakobsen, indeed a Dutchman. Only ten times did someone outside of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark claim victory in Kuurne Brussel Kuurne.
When is Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024?
Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024 takes place on Sunday, February 25, 2024 – indeed, a day after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2024. After this opening weekend, the classics specialists head to Italy, where the Strade Bianche 2024 will be held in Tuscany on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Two weeks later, the party begins in the north of the Boot, marking the true arrival of spring with Milan Sanremo 2024 on Saturday, March 16, 2024. A week later, the race is back home when the Flemish Cycling Week is on the menu. Anyway, back to Kuurne! What do we know about its history?
History of KBK
The history dates back to 1945, and the honors list includes big names from the 1970s and later, including Edwig Van Hooydonck, Johan Museeuw, Andrei Tchmil, Peter Van Petegem, Olaf Ludwig, Frédéric Moncassin, and Rolf Sørensen. Remarkably, Eddy Merckx never won in Kuurne, despite his dominance in other classics. The Netherlands has produced nine winners, with Tom Boonen as the record holder with three victories.
Course Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024
Can we still speak of Kuurne Brussel Kuurne in 2024? Kortrijk-Brussel-Kuurne would have been more accurate. The cycling classic Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne retains its name but changes its starting location to Kortrijk. Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024 will start from the Grote Markt in Kortrijk. Cycling enthusiasts pointing fingers at a consortium like the City Football Group (from the Emirates, owner of Manchester City) or a Public Investment Fund (from Saudi Arabia, owner of Newcastle United), swearing off where big money rules, will be disappointed. In cycling, too, money rules. And Kuurne loses its beautiful starting place.
Kortrijk has signed an agreement for three years and pays 75,000 euros for this. Kuurne responds disappointedly, calling it a hard nut to crack. The decision arises from the desire to grow, be more competitive with other spring races, organize a strong VIP event, add an international women’s race, and create more experience. The new starting location should increase the allure and financial clout of the race.
Kortrijk wants to profile itself as a cycling city and emphasizes the tradition of Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne as the fifth-best-watched spring race on VRT. Kuurne, which currently spends 8 euros per inhabitant on the race, in disappointment over the loss of the start, will now contribute only 1 euro per inhabitant. Mayor Benoit of Kuurne understands the decision and continues to support the race because of its regional impact.
Favorites Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024
The favorites for Kuurne will be presented here the day before the race! Or read the preview of or Dutch/Flemish sister Voorjaarsklassiekers.be: the “voorbeschouwing Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024” and the “favorieten Kuurne Brussel Kuurne 2024“