Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2019: The Route

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Sunday 3 March - The route of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne is virtually the same as last year. At 206 kilometres, the 2019 route features thirteen Flemish 'hellingen' before the final quarter of the race is played out on the flat.

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne has been named a sprinter’s classic, but two out of the last three editions didn’t see a peloton sprint finish. In 2016, Jasper Stuyven took the win solo style, while Peter Sagan won a five-up sprint in 2017. Last edition was a traditional sprint finish with Dylan Groenewegen outgunning the field.

As always, the race sets off at Kuurne’s hippodrome and heads for the first climb of the day, the Volkegemberg, which is crested after some 30 kilometres. The route continues via climbs up the Eikenmolen and Onkerzeleberg to a series of six hills in quick succession – La Houppe, Kanarieberg, Kruisberg, Hotond, Cote du Trieu and Oude Kwaremont.

Often, things start to move on Oude Kwaremont, which is a 2.2 kilometres climb with its crest 85 kilometres before the line. The route continues to the last four hills – Kluisberg, Tiegemberg, Holstraat and finally Nokereberg. At merely 350 metres, Nokereberg is the last ‘helling’ of the day.

The last 50 kilometres are pan-flat, while Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne concludes with two laps of 15.3 kilometres around Kuurne.

Another interesting read: results/race report Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.