*Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne* 28th Feb 2016

Yes, usually a sprinter's race, and another true top class test at over 200kms.

2015: Bunch sprint.
2014: Breakaway sprint.
2013: Bit snowy…No race.
2012: Bunch sprint.
2011: Bunch sprint.

Weather: Fine. Cold. Wind a major factor at 20 km/h gusting to 30 km/h. Suggesting that a bunch sprint is more likely as the breakaway struggle in a small group with less cover and the need for them to combine well.

** 17.0 WIN ONLY Caleb Ewan 3 wins this season down here in Australia. Looking very fast on account of his small stature and aero position. If they take him to the finish and should he catch a train, there's no one in this peloton who can beat him. Absolutely no one. Highly impressive, improving sprinter who is in very good form, however he is inexperienced over the cobbles so will require some luck in running. Nevertheless, with less likelihood of a race-winning selection and the sprinters teams wanting a bunch sprint, he should do enough to be amongst the chances. Top pick.

* 12.0 E/W Peter Sagan Will be dissatisfied with his 2nd place finish behind GVA last start in OHN, where he essentially got beat cold, and will be out with a point to prove by imposing his presence on the peloton. Looked to be riding in effortless fashion in the breakaway, although seemed to run out of gels coming into the finale. Looks in very good shape. One of the main contenders. Treat warily.       

1/8* 68.0 E/W Edward Theuns Riding for TSV in 2015, he got those excellent 2nd place finishes in the Flemish races. Rode impressively in OHN last start, both by attempting to get into the break and by finishing off his race strongly into 8th place. Interesting proposition. Worthy of some consideration.

Good luck to all,
SP

Great write up SP.

I know he's short but I really think Kristoff is a cert here. He was narrowly pipped in last year's race by Cav before dominating the rest of the cobbled classic season. He has been in great form in the Middle East

Cheers Clay. I'm certainly not attempting to discount Kristoff's chances. 5 wins already, like you said in the Middle East, good training ride last start yesterday in OHN. In fact KAT suggested that they prepared well for this by being MIA yesterday. However, he is almost prohibitively short, and I am confident Ewan can beat him in a straight-out match the way he is riding this year. I was going to tuck Ewan away for later, but at these odds and the way he has developed his sprint, I am ready to back him now.

I like Caleb and I like OGE as well. How do you think OGE have prepped for the classics?

Also what did you think of Ettix yesterday? Massive MIA. Especially after their disaster in the race last year

I think Kristoff is a very worthy favourite for this. Only man I can see springing a surprise is Groenwegen who has looked very fast already this season.

It's a new beginning for OGE, so certainly a low-key approach has been suggested. Ewan was on recon yesterday along parts of the KBK route, so he is sure to know what to expect, but the tactics for the day will be to stay with the peloton and the sprinters. I therefore wouldn't expect OGE to be on the front for long periods, but they'll want to test Ewan if he is riding strongly, and the Australia way of riding means that they won't be parked off the pace doing nothing and coming late, so expect to see them do some work on the expectation of a strong Ewan performance in a bunch sprint.

Yes, like I said in my review of the OHN race, reprimands the order of the day for the EQS riders after that effort. Expect a different attitude today, I suspect.

Stuyven's stolen this I reckon. Still 8km to go but he's not getting brought back here. What a ride - he really is the new Spartacus!

4th at Omloop with Rowe and 4th at KBK today with Groenewegen. Damn.

Bad luck MC, I know it's always helpful to pick up those place dividends on E/W bets, helps keep the bank ticking over.

He didn't make the short list, but I did look at Stuyven yesterday in OHN, he actually went out after the GVA + Sagan group solo, and was making inroads (less than halfway across) until he crashed in a corner. Nevertheless, he then proceeded to still finish off the race strongly for 9th place.

Thinking he might be bruised I went for his team-mate Theuns, but obviously would have been wise to throw a saver at 100/1 on here for his breakthrough performance at the top level.

This race had a true Flemish character of hide-around-the-brick-walled-corner, and catch the tailwind when its on offer. Another young rider to watch this season.

Here's the village idiot Nugget on the scene, never puts up his picks or contributes to the discussion. Just plays the troll, attempting to discredit people, to amuse his juvenile mind. Never even tipped a winner let alone authored a thread on here with something original or worthy to say. Keep banging away, like the village idiot you're always worth a laugh.