Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 2022: Favourites

That is, in theory. More than half of the last seven editions were won by attackers. Kasper Asgreen (2020), Bob Jungels (2019) and Jasper Stuyven (2016) powered to solo triumphs, while Peter Sagan took a five-up sprint in 2017. The other three editions resulted in traditional bunch sprints with Mad Pedersen (2021), Dylan Groenewegen (2018) and Mark Cavendish (2015) turning out on top.

Two hills were added to the route of Kuurne-Brussels-Brussel is the last two years, and the number of climbs now equals the Omloop. The last of the thirteen ‘hellingen’, Kluisberg, is crested with 50 kilometres remaining. So sprinters have ample time to regain contact with the peloton.

Fabio Jakobsen is on fire. The Dutchman already won four stages in 2022, two at the Tour of Valencia, two at the Volta ao Algarve.

Given the time of year, inclement weather often adds an extra element of excitement to the race, but the forecast promises friendly weather this time.

Favourites 2022 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

***** Fabio Jakobsen, Tom Pidcock, Caleb Ewan
**** Jasper Stuyven, Tim Merlier, Mike Teunissen
*** Sonny Colbrelli, Nils Eekhoff, Florian Sénéchal
** Matej Mohoric, Alexander Kristoff, Giacomo Nizzolo
* Yves Lampaert, Stefan Küng, Michael Valgren, Greg Van Avermaet