Stuyven shows strength during Classics opening weekend
Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) has a special relationship with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. His grandparents hail from Kuurne, and he managed to win the race with a surprising solo move as a 23-year-old rider in 2016.
Before the start of the 2018 edition, he was called to the podium and received a painting from local painter Nesten.
During the cold and windy race, he featured in the breakaway group of 21 riders that dominated in the hill zone. At the last climb, the group enjoyed a bonus of 50 seconds on the peloton, but there were still 50 flat kilometres to cover including two local laps until the finish in Kuurne.
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On Nokereberg, the final climb of the day, Stuyven set the pace, and at the top, he pushed on. Daniel Oss (Bora-Hansgrohe) marked his wheel and joined the move. Arnaud Démare (FDJ) hesitated but then opted to sit up and await the rest of the group.
Stuyven and Oss kept their advantage for about 20 kilometres while the large breakaway group was caught back by the peloton. Then, Oss punctured, and Stuyven was forced to continue solo.
"When I ended up alone I wasn’t very hopeful," Stuyven said while heading for the doping control in a warm doctor's cabinet near the finish line.
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