International Race Previews
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Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
The 67th edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad takes place on Saturday 25th February.
Starting in Ghent, the 200km race heads east out of the city before turning south towards an intricate circuit of hills and cobbles.
Ten hills and nine stretches of pave lie in wait for the peloton.Whilst the hills may not be particularly long by Grand Tour standards, they come in quick succession, each one eating away at at the riders' strength. It's death by a hundred cuts, or by ten hills.
TheMolenberg is the most crucial of the hills. Strategically located, it is the last of the ascents and comes with just 35km to go until the finish. It is short, at just 500m long, but it starts with a sharp 10% rise, ramping up to 14% before levelling off towards the top. It is also cobbled for more than half of its distance. Arider needs to be near the front of the main bunch here if he is to in position to contest the win.
Between the hills are nine flat stretches of cobblestoned roads to throw the race into
chaos.All come in the final half of the race, with a sixth of the final 35km of racing taking place across cobbles, jarring the weary joints.
The race suits a strong rider with a turn of speed for the dash to the line, with previous winners including the likes of Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd.
The race is a happy hunting ground for Team Sky.
JuanAntonio Flecha gave the team its first ever one-day win in the 2010 edition of the race and came second last year. Flecha will be back this year to see if he can make it three podiums in a row for the British team.
Jeremy Hunt and Ian Stannard were the only British riders confirmed as we went to press.
Sky Procycling are sending a team with a strong British flavour to Kuurne-Brussels- Kuurne, to be held on Sunday 26th February.
Slated to beMark Cavendish's first one day race of the season, the world's greatest sprinter will be accompanied by compatriots Alex Dowsett, Jeremy Hunt and Ian Stannard. The team will also include 2011 winner Chris Sutton with JuanAntonio Flecha,Michael Barry andMatthew Hayman completing the British team's roster.
The route takes in eight hills over its 195km length, the most famous of which is the Kwaremont, which has featured regularly in the Tour of
Flanders.At over 2km long the Kwaremont is the longest hill in Kuurne- Brussels-Kuurne and comes after 105km of racing.Whilst its average gradient is not particularly onerous at 4%, it has a maximum incline of 11%, is narrow and includes sections of
cobblestones.All of which makes the hill one of the most testing parts of the race.
From the top of the Kwaremont there are three three more hills to battle, the Cote du Trieu (1.2km at 7%), the Tiegemberg (750m at 5.6%) and the Nokereberg (350m at 5.7%). From the Nokereberg it's a 53km dash to the line, all downhill before the route flattens out with around 30km to go.
Challenging Team Sky will be Cavendish's ex team-mate,Andre Greipel of Lotto- Belisol, Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Barracuda and Filippo Pozzato of Farnese Vivi-Selle Italia.
Last 10 winners: 2011: Christopher Sutton 2010 :Bobbie Traksel 2009: Tom Boonen 2008: Steven Dejong 2007: Tom Boonen 2006: Nick Nuyens 2005: George Hincapie 2004: Steven De Jongh 2003: Roy Sentjens 2002: Jaan Kirsipuu
©SportingclubKuurne vzw
2011 winner Chris Sutton on the podium
©SportingclubKuurne vzw
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