Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2018: Groenewegen sprints to his first Classics win

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne amounts to 200 kilometres and takes in twelve climbs, although the last 50 kilometres are played out on the flat. The race, which is held in chilly and windy conditions, boils down to a bunch sprint with Dylan Groenwegen outpowering the pack. Arnaud Démare and Sonny Colbrelli round out the podium. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2018 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

1. Dylan Groenewegen (nld)
2. Arnaud Démare (fra) s.t.
3. Sonny Colbrelli (ita) s.t.
4. Pim Ligthart (nld) s.t.
5. Justin Jules (fra) s.t.
6. Jean-Pierre Drücker (lux) s.t.
7. Guillaume Boivin (can) s.t.
8. Lukasz Wisniowski (pol) s.t.
9. Julien Vermote (bel) s.t.
10. Timothy Dupont (bel) s.t.

Race report
Korsaeth, Bagdonas, Bono, Allegaert, Vanbilsen, Cardis and Perry jump clear after half an hour. They race to a lead of more than 2 minutes before the peloton takes them on a leash. With just under 100 kms to go the break is almost brought back, but then the peloton thinks better of it. For a moment at least, as on Oude Kwaremont the break is reeled in.

Over the top Vanmarcke, Van Avermaet and Lampaert push on and they are joined by a promising group featuring Colbrelli, Trentin, Démare, Stuyven, Modolo, Benoot, Oss, Wallays, Haussler, Durbridge, Pedersen, Politt, Biermans and Denz. Pre-race favourites Groenewegen and Gaviria have been dropped. Firstly LottoNL and then Astana try to chase down the first group, while Gaviria stops his efforts and abandons.

On the last ‘helling’, Nokereberg, Stuyven and Oss head out together, while the two chasing groups come together with 40 kms to go.

The attackers race to a lead of more than 40 seconds before Oss punctures with 34 kilometres remaining. Modolo hits the deck 27 kilometres before the line and Cort Nielen crashes 7 kilometres later.

Stuyven is brought back just before the penultimate passage on the line. Still 15 kilometres to go. Julien Vermote and Julien Duval open up a gap with 10 kms to go, while Loïc Vliegen rejoins them. The trio races to a 15 seconds lead, but in the last km they are caught.

Dylan Groenewegen outguns Arnaud Démare and Sonny Colbrelli with ease, thus taking the first Classics win of his career.