The cycling classic Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne will be back on the calendar within a few weeks. As the tension towards the upcoming edition increases, we look back at last year’s impressive race. That was last year, with Wout van Aert as the glorious winner. The question arises: who will follow him this year? Can Van Aert crown himself winner again, now that he has confirmed his participation?
Race report from last year
It took a while before the early breakaway took shape. Upon entering the hill zone, De Buyst, De Bondt, Miholjevic, Rowe and Mozzato finally managed to take a lead. However, their adventure was short-lived. Already 95 kilometers from the finish they were caught by the peloton.
On the cobbles of Mont Saint-Laurent the spectacle began. Wout van Aert showed his class by reducing the leading group to four riders: himself, Lazkano, Wellens and Pithie. But Van Aert had not yet given everything. On the steep Côte de Trieu he threw his cards on the table again. This acceleration proved too much for Pithie, who had to let the leaders go.
The three remaining riders, Van Aert, Lazkano and Wellens, reached the top of the Kluisberg with a one-minute lead over Pithie. Behind them, Mohoric and Jorgenson tried to make up ground, but they followed at 20 seconds from Pithie. The peloton was meanwhile already a minute and a half behind.
During the passage at the finish in Kuurne, the leading group strengthened its lead. With a three-minute lead over the first chasers, including Jorgenson, Pithie and Mohoric, it became clear that no one would catch them. The peloton was at that moment half a minute behind the chasers.
Wout van Aert left no doubt about who was the strongest. On the Brugsesteenweg he sprinted untouchably to victory and thus wrote Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2023 in his name.
Who will be Wout van Aert’s successor?
Now that Wout van Aert has confirmed his participation in this year’s edition, it becomes extra exciting to see if he can succeed himself. Or will we get a new name in the history books within a few weeks? Who will pull the mighty sprint on the Brugsesteenweg towards them this year?
Discover the complete honor roll
Curious about all previous winners of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne? View the complete honor roll here and be inspired by the impressive history of our race.
We look forward to a new chapter in the rich tradition of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. See you on the Brugsesteenweg!
