Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, second episode of the Opening Weekend

Although it does not generate as much excitement as the other major race of the opening weekend of the Belgian cobbled classics, the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, which takes place next Sunday, March 1, it usually provides us year after year with an exciting cycling race and, on many occasions, with unexpected outcomes, although, too often, it all ends up being fireworks and is resolved in a sprint among a more or less numerous group.

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, the most uncertain classic. Favorites for victory

If there is a classic where it is difficult to make a prediction, it is the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, since while its first part shows the typical layout of Flemish races, filled with walls and traps, the final third, which is completely flat, greatly influences the race and, except in years when adverse weather conditions have favored the race breaking into a thousand pieces, it is not unusual for the event to end up being contested in a sprint among a more or less numerous group.

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That is why in the list of favorites we cannot overlook the fastest in the peloton who also have classic skills. A roster that must include names like Jasper Philipsen or Biniam Girmay, who surely do not want to miss one of the best opportunities the calendar offers them to achieve a spectacular victory.

We could also complete the trio with Jonathan Milan, who continues to insist on proving that he is more than just a pure sprinter.

It is more complicated to find a name if the outcome is not the most usual. In that case, we could focus on men like Tim Wellens, Matej Mohoric, Jasper Stuyven, or Christophe Laporte, just to name a few who could shine in a race that, at first glance, does not have a clear favorite.

Route Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2026

The route of the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne consists of 195 kilometers with hardly any modifications compared to previous years. It starts in Kortrijk heading towards the area of walls where the Tour of Flanders takes place; going to Brussels, as happens with the name of other races, has only been for the name for years. Finally, after the tour of walls, a flat finish back to Kuurne, a neighboring town of Kortrijk, for a finish that is always tricky but, in practice, not very selective.

Beyond how the race ends, the middle part and its succession of walls always offer us a fantastic cycling spectacle from those who try by all means to avoid a sprint finish. No less than 13 ascents, including some as significant as the always selective Kruisberg.

How to watch the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2026

Eurosport is, as usual, the window we have as lovers of Belgian classics to follow the most spectacular cycling that can be seen each season. A race that will be broadcast next Sunday, March 1, on the Eurosport 2 channel and, of course, also on the HBO-Max platform from 14:30 until the conclusion of the event around 17:15.