"In order to continue to compete with the other spring classics, something had to change" - KBK chairman justifies change of starting city
Cycling
Last Monday the news came out that Kuurne won't host the start of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne for the next three years. That honor will be reserved for Kortrijk from 2024. This city has signed an agreement with the organization. Francis Benoit, the mayor of Kuurne, speaks of a 'black day for our municipality.'
According to the Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Kortrijk has paid a lot of money in recent years to have the city imaged by helicopter during the race. That amount will now gradually increase, from 75,000 euros in 2024 to 85,000 euros in 2025 and 90,000 euros in 2026.
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"In order to continue to compete with the other spring classics, something had to change. The new starting location should make it possible to organize a stronger VIP operation, eventually add an international women's race to the program and create a greater experience. It will also only improve the image of the race and also increase its financial strength," KBK chairman Geert Penez says.
Benoit also sounds the alarm in a post on LinkedIn, calling on the region to invest. "So that these spring classics such as Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne do not disappear from the region. Because the places on the international calendar are getting smaller and smaller. If we want to hold an opening classic, we have to work together in various areas."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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Karl @Vannieuwkerke schrijft een brief naar burgemeester Francis Benoit nadat Kortrijk de startplek wordt voor Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne: “Met dit idee zal de aandacht voor Kuurne nooit groter geweest zijn” kw.be/nieuws/opinie/…
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