Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 2026: Route

Sunday 1 March – Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne remains true to its tried-and-tested formula. Within the space of just under 40 kilometres, the riders tackle seven climbs and, after the last of them, the Kluisberg, there are still 60 kilometres of flat roads to the finish. In total, the 194.9-kilometre course features thirteen climbs and four cobbled sectors.

Closing race of the Flemish Opening Weekend
Contenders: Arnaud De Lie, Biniam Girmay, Paul Magnier
Title holder: Jasper Philipsen

The Tiegemberg forms the first obstacle 17 kilometres into the race. At similar intervals, the riders then head on to the Volkegemberg, Lepelstraat and Bossenaarstraat. By the time they crest that last climb, they have been in the saddle for just under 70 kilometres.

Berg Ten Houte and La Houppe come shortly after the Bossenaarstraat, offering a foretaste of what is to come. Some 18 kilometres further down the road, things really begin to heat up, with seven climbs packed into the next 40 kilometres.

In quick succession, Hameau des Papins, Le Bourliquet and Mont Saint-Laurent are on the menu — three climbs featuring double-digit gradients — and just under 10 kilometres after Mont Saint-Laurent, the riders tackle the Kruisberg, after which the Hotond, Côte de Trieu and Kluisberg bring the hilly zone to a close.

By now, it is time to take stock. Most sprinters will have been dropped on the climbs, but if they can limit their losses, they may yet fight their way back into contention. Especially if the wind plays a part, a fascinating game of cat and mouse could unfold.

From the top of the Kluisberg, there are still 61.3 kilometres to the finish on the Brugsesteenweg in Kuurne. That entire section is flat.

Last year, KBK ended in a sprint. Jasper Philipsen powered to a dominant victory ahead of Olav Kooij and Hugo Hofstetter.

In doing so, Philipsen followed in the footsteps of Wout van Aert (2024), Tiesj Benoot (2023), Fabio Jakobsen (2022), Mads Pedersen (2021), Kasper Asgreen (2020), Bob Jungels (2019), Dylan Groenewegen (2018), Peter Sagan (2017), Jasper Stuyven (2016), Mark Cavendish (2015) and Tom Boonen (2014).

Boonen holds the record with three victories, having also won Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne in 2007 and 2009.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne 2026.

Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne gets under way at 12:10 and is expected to finish at around 17:00 – both local times (CET). For details, see the ‘scheduled times’ in the slideshow below; specifications of the climbs and cobbled sectors can be found under ‘profile & climbs’ or by opening the file of that name.