Following the start near Hippodrome Kuurne the first hill, Tiegemberg, appears after 17 kilometres. That’s more or less the interval before new climbs are tackled in the first part of the race. The riders continue to Katteberg, Boembeek and Bossenaarstraat before Berg Ten Houte comes too early, only 3 kilometres after the climb on the Bossenaarstraat.
Shortly, the riders enter French speaking territory and the climbing intensifies. Small wonder, since they penetrate the Pays des Collines – or, Land of the Hills – in Hainaut Provence. The next four climbs – La Houppe, Hameau des Papins, Le Bourliquet, Mont Saint-Laurent – appear within 22 kilometres. By now, the race is expected to really catch fire.
Back in Dutch speaking Belgium the terrain does not change that much and the Kruisberg, Hotond, Côte de Trieu and Kluisberg are tackled within a 16 kilometres frame. The Kluisberg is the last uphill test of the day and it is crested with roughly 52 kilometres of racing ahead.
Big question at this point: Where are the fast men? Chances are that they have been dropped in the hilly zone. Obviously, the riders at the front will be motivated to keep the pace high.
The last hour of racing usually turns out to be a fascinating display of cat and mouse with one group chasing the other at a ferocious pace. Strong winds could amplify the tension to the extreme.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.
Another interesting read: race results/report 2023 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2023: route, profiles, more
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