Preview Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne 2026 - Massive sprinter and classics specialist battle on Opening Weekend

On the 1st of March the peloton takes on Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne. Whilst not part of the World Tour, the cobbled classic - the second of the weekend, following Omloop het Nieuwsblad - is every year one of the most exciting racs of the year, where classics specialists and sprinters come together in a difficult and very tactical race. We preview the race ahead.

First raced back in 1946, the Belgian classic features a tremendous amount of history, and is heavily corelated with Omloop het Nieuwsblad. Currently, the two form the so-called 'Opening Weekend'; which are the two cobbled classics that officially open up the spring calndar. Names such as Patrick Lefevere, Johan Museeuw and Edwig van Hooydonck can be found in the race's palmarès from many decades ago; whilst more recently modern legends such as Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish and Peter Sagan have all added their name to the list.

Since 2020, we've had an attack decide the race on three occasions; and a bunch sprint decide the race on three occasions. Kasper Asgreen, Mads Pedersen, Fabio Jakobsen, Tiesj Benoot, Wout van Aert and most recently Jasper Philipsen are all winners here. Last year, Philipsen won the race in a reduced peloton sprint, beating Olav Kooij to the line.

The Belgian race features 1800 meters of climbing in 193 kilometers, mostly in the first two thirds. It is always an extremely interesting race, where attacks come aplenty from the classics specialists over the many climbs and cobbled sectors that the race has to offer.

But the final 60 kilometers present very little difficulties, which creates an interesting dynamic between the attackers and the teams of the sprinters that wish to bring things back. Every year drama is promised and delivered into the streets of Kuurne.

*** Tobias Lund Andresen, Jordi Meeus, Jonathan Milan, Paul Magnier
** Jasper Philipsen, Arnaud de Lie, Matthew Brennan, Christophe Laporte
* Laurence Pithie, Matteo Trentin, Jonas Abrahamsen, Biniam Girmay, Kaden Groves, Tom Crabbe, Davide Ballerini, Dylan van Baarle, Florian Vermeersch, Tim Wellens

Pick: Jordi Meeus

How: Reduced peloton sprint.