Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 200.7kms Click to see full-size image. |
Click to see full-size image. |
The first classic type sprinter's one day race of the season.
11 short sharp climbs but the last comes 53km from the finish so it's usually the fast men who fight out the finish.
2015 Mark Cavendish
2014 Tom Boonen
2013 no race
2012 Mark Cavendish
2011 Chris Sutton
2010 Bobbie Traksel(who?)
WeatherCold, dry and windy. Temperature reaching 7 degrees and winds steady at about 20kms. Not particularly pleasant.
Main contendersAlexander Kristoff Click to see full-size image. |
Loves his type of race and is practically unstoppable on his day. Best price 13/8
Ella Viviani Click to see full-size image. |
Seriously quick, can he retain his power after all the climbs? Lack of a decent lead out train tempers enthusiasm. 7/1
Peter Sagan Click to see full-size image. |
Worked very hard yesterday in a break for 50 odd kms before ultimately losing out to GVA. Interesting to see how he will go today. 12/1
Nacer Bouhanni Click to see full-size image. |
Our hope for Milan - San Remo gets an audition for the part. Seriously fast, improving on the climbs, wholly unpredictable and a bit of a bellend. What's not to like? 14/1
Caleb Ewan Click to see full-size image. |
The joker in the pack, annihilated lesser opposition in the Tour Down Under, young, untested on cobbles and lots to prove. A fascinating contender and the man I'll be watching all day. 16/1
Other contendersBoonen, Nizzolo, Demare, Bennett, GVA and of course many others. In a normal run race these guys wouldn't be good enough but as wel know cycling can throw up all sorts of permutations.
RecommendationI can't resist Bouhanni after suggesting him for a similar race next month and a bet on Ewan which could go horribly wrong but seems very fun is advised. If he is there at the end he could be hard to beat. A decent chance he won't be there however so I think win only is the way to go for him.
Probably a race to sit back and enjoy but after spending half an hour on the write up I can't possibly go without a bet or two.
Nacer Bouhanni 1pt ew 14/1 PP Caleb Ewan 1pt win 16/1 PP https://m.oddschecker.com/t/cycling/one-day-classics/kuurne-bruxelles-kuurne/winner