Refresh
The pair has made the junction, rising the main group to a dimension of 6. They maintain a snug lead over the peloton, of about seven minutes
158KM REMAINING
Two extra riders try to bridge as much as the main quarter: Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and Matthew Gibson
The flat 50km between the highest of the Kluisberg and the end is what makes this such a troublesome race to make assaults stick, however there have been a number of current examples of bunch sprints being prevented. Within the final seven editions, Kasper Asgreen (2020), Bob Jungels (2019) and Jasper Stuyven (2016) have all gained by way of solo assaults.
The riders have already tackled the Tiegemberg, and there are nonetheless twelve extra climbs to come back. Listed below are the place the attackers will look to make their mark and stop a dash end:
Tiegemberg 17.1km
Katteberg 35.2km
Boembeek 56.6km
Bossenaarstraat 75km
Berg Ten Houte 78.4km
La Houppe 83.5km
Hameau des Papin 101.4km
Le Bourliquet 110.3km
Mont Saint-Laurent 115.3km
Kruisberg 124.9km
Hotond 126.1km
Côte du Trieu 133.5km
Kluisberg 140.8km
A bunch of 4 has escaped up the street, and it is a sturdy one: Taco van der Hoorn, Daniel Oss, Lluís Mas and Gilles De Wilde
There’s been one other early abandon: Patrick Bevin, who additionally withdrew from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad yesterday.
In addition to De Lie and the Jumbo-Visma riders, Tim Wellens and Matej Mohorič have been the strongest on the Muur-Kapelmuur yesterday, and are additionally racing once more at present, so they are going to be among the many riders to look out for on the climbs.Jasper Stuyven, Peter Sagan, Greg Van Avermaet and Matteo Trentin additionally journey once more, however after comparatively disappointing Omloops.
There’s been an early crash, and Trek-Segafredo’s Filippo Baroncini has deserted because of this. Jan Tratnik was additionally concerned, however is reportedly again on his bike.
Arnaud De Lie shall be one other harmful rider from a bunch dash, however as his efficiency yesterday demonstrated, he’s equally able to attacking with a breakaway on one of many climbs, too. The 20-year-old shall be a marked man, and carries the burden of an ever-more expectant Belgian public.
Among the sprinters hoping to nonetheless be in rivalry come the finale are Jasper Philipsen, Alexander Kristoff, Jonathan Milan, Giacomo Nizzolo and Fabio Jakobsen. As defending champion, Jakobsen specifically is one to look out for, and shall be beneath some strain to carry out after the disappointing outing from his Soudal-QuickStep staff at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad yesterday.
193KM REMAINING
And we’re off! The riders have simply handed via the neutralised zone and the true racing has begun
After yesterday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad the Belgian classics come thick and quick, beginning with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the second a part of biking’s so-called Opening Weekend.
Dylan Van Baarle was triumphant yesterday, and rides once more at present as a part of one other super-strong Jumbo-Visma line-up that additionally consists of most of the similar riders who starred yesterday, equivalent to Christophe Laporte, Tiesj Benoot and Jan Tratnik. Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is extra of a sprinters’ basic, nevertheless, so it gained’t be so easy for them to make a profitable breakaway right here.
Hi there and welcome to Kuurne–Brussel–Kuurne 2023
