Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne 2026 Preview
Analysis written by Sergio Yustos (@sergioyustos) and tips by Cédric Molina (@ilcapoced)
ROUTE ANALYSIS
- Schedule: 12:25 - 16:50 CET
The 2026 route is, essentially, a carbon copy of 2025. Just a couple of tweaks, a few fewer kilometres and the return of Lapelstraat as the third sector after that brief flirtation with Boembeek. Fine-tuning, but the philosophy doesn’t change.
The start is in Kortrijk, with 7 neutralised kilometres that wind through Kuurne before the race really kicks off near Harelbeke, sacred territory of the E3. There’s no time to switch off. After 17 kilometres comes Tiegemberg, the first point of contact, and shortly after that Volkegemberg.
There are 12 climbs. The longest is Oude Kruisberg-Hotond, at almost three kilometres, but this is not about length; it’s about repetition and tension. The race gets particularly hard around halfway, in a sequence that can create gaps: first Hameau des Papins, with gradients up to 16%; eight kilometres later, Le Bourliquet, 1.3 km that touch 15%; and five further on, Mont Saint-Laurent, which hits peaks of 17%. Three almost consecutive stings that, if there are legs and ambition, can split the race.
After that comes Klusberg as the last classified climb. Maximum gradients of 11%, yes, but it is 59.5 kilometres from the finish. Too far to be decisive unless there are very serious moves. From there on, it’s favourable terrain, mostly flat, ideal for reorganising the chase.
That’s why it’s no surprise that this race tends to be decided in a sprint from a large group. The fatigue is there, the difficulty too, but positioning and tactical reading matter as much as the legs. A classic of endurance, constant tension and an open finale. Very northern.
Climbs
| Nº | Name | Altitude | Distance | Average gradient | Race km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiegemberg | 75 m | 1.4 km | 3.5 % | Km 16.6 |
| 2 | Volkegemberg | 72 m | 1.0 km | 3.9 % | Km 34.5 |
| 3 | Lepelstraat (Elst) | 97 m | 2.2 km | 3.4 % | Km 50.3 |
| 4 | Bossenaarstraat | 86 m | 1.3 km | 5.2 % | Km 66.8 |
| 5 | Berg Ten Houte | 99 m | 1.0 km | 5.0 % | Km 70.1 |
| 6 | La Houppe | 128 m | 1.8 km | 3.9 % | Km 77.2 |
| 7 | Hameau des Papins | 122 m | 1.2 km | 5.5 % | Km 95.0 |
| 8 | Le Bourliquet | 117 m | 1.3 km | 6.1 % | Km 103.4 |
| 9 | Mont Saint-Laurent | 132 m | 1.3 km | 7.1 % | Km 108.5 |
| 10 | Oude Kruisberg-Hotond | 142 m | 2.7 km | 3.8 % | Km 119.3 |
| 11 | Côte du Trieu / Knokteberg | 105 m | 1.1 km | 7.3 % | Km 126.6 |
| 12 | Klusberg / Mont de l'Enclus | 83 m | 1.1 km | 5.9 % | Km 134.1 |
Cobbled sectors (including mixed sections)
| Nº | Name | Length | Race km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holleweg | 700 m | Km 35.4 |
| 2 | Berg Ten Houte | 300 m | Km 69.4 |
| 3 | Mont Saint-Laurent | 500 m | Km 107.9 |
| 4 | Oudestraat | 500 m | Km 117.5 |
| 5 | Beerbosstraat | 400 m | Km 158.6 |
THE WEATHER
The most crucial factor here is the south/south-westerly wind. It will be a favourable crosswind in the final kilometres on the way back to Kuurne, which can liven up the chase and add some spice to the day.
FAVOURITES FOR THE WIN
Sprinters versus classics specialists, the yearly battle at Kuurne. Barring surprises, the first scenario might look like the usual one, but in fact, in seven of the last ten editions the bunch sprint was avoided and the winner was decided solo or from small groups. That’s something that should make us doubt whether the top favourites are Jonathan Milan, Paul Magnier, Matthew Brennan, Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay, Jordi Meeus or Arnaud De Lie. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see most of them trying to get into a move that could ultimately be the winning one at the finish line. And there’s one thing we must be clear on here: if Mathieu van der Poel does end up racing tomorrow, everything revolves around him and the chances of the race blowing apart multiply.
Among the sprinters, we can also consider others like Phil Bauhaus, Pavel Bittner, Danny van Poppel, Juan Sebastián Molano, Pascal Ackermann, Émilien Jeannière, Luke Lamperti, Dylan Groenewegen, Max Kanter, Tom Crabbe and Tobias Lund Andresen, who have all started the season at a very high level.
On the other side of the ring we have the agitators, those riders who know their chances depend on a crazy, uncontrolled race and on getting rid of the fastest men as much as possible. Here we can highlight riders such as Tim Wellens, Jonas Abrahamsen, Rasmus Tiller, Florian Vermeersch, Toms Skujiņš and Matej Mohorič, along with others like Dylan van Baarle, Riley Sheehan, Jenno Berckmoes, Rune Herregodts and Matteo Trentin, who could also be a rider aiming for a good placing from a sprint, but it’s more logical to think he’ll be interested in seeing the race split apart. In this group we can also include other names such as Christophe Laporte, Tim van Dijke, Dries Van Gestel, Hugo Hofstetter, Aaron Gate and Luca Mozzato.
Now we move on to the riders who could spring a surprise. It’s a large group given the characteristics of the race, where we can find riders like Bastien Tronchon, Daan Hoole, Edward Theuns, Felix Ørn-Kristoff, Iván García Cortina, Jon Barrenetxea, Luka Mezgec, Davide Ballerini, Matyáš Kopecký and Alexis Renard, but my two picks to keep an eye on this Sunday will be Sente Sentjens and Pau Miquel. Two riders with a turn of speed and good instincts, who could find room to shine. Both must make the most of their opportunities in these races to show what they are capable of.
IL CAPO CED’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE A CAPO IN FANTASY
💥 Il capo’s stat.
In the last 10 editions only Sagan (‘18), Van Aert (‘24) and Philipsen (‘25) managed to win here after first taking a top-3 in Omloop. None of them could do the double.
🌟 Capos to follow.
1200; Jonathan Milan.
He’s the only one worth 1200 coins. In 3 participations he has never been able to win or even make the podium.
1000; Jasper Philipsen.
Winner here last year, he will want to defend his title. Given his attributes, for me he’s the favourite along with Magnier for this race.
800; Paul Magnier.
Obviously, it couldn’t be anyone else. He’s making his debut in this race, but his current form is absolutely elite.
600; Matthew Brennan.
The young Visma talent will have a better opportunity in this race than the day before at Omloop.
400; Christophe Laporte.
Here we go with another rider from the bees’ team. In his last 3 participations he has finished 8th, 6th and 4th.
200; Hugo Hofstetter.
We go with the NSN rider. Two podiums in his last 3 participations, plus a 6th place in 2020. A rider who likes this race.
📂 Riders with -10% who managed a T10.
2025: 3
2024: 3
2023: 4 (including the winner)
2022: 4
2021: 4
📂 Of the 15 riders most selected by users, how many won, how many made the podium and how many finished in the T10?
2025: 🥇✖️✖️ 5 = 6/10
2024: 🥇🥈✖️ 4 = 6/10
2023: ✖️✖️🥉 5 = 6/10
2022: 🥇🥈✖️ 4 = 6/10
2021: 🥇✖️🥉 3 = 5/10