Emotions flare up in the race: Van Quickenborne explains his strengths, colleague talks about ‘a bomb, a tough nut to crack’

After the news broke more than a week ago that Kortrijk will now become the starting point of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, the municipality of Kuurne already expressed its disappointment on social and other media. Also through Mayor Francis Benoit, who also reacted emotionally at the press conference.

“This hits like a bomb in Kuurne. It is a tough nut to crack,” Benoit said at the time. It is clearly a very sensitive matter. A week later, that storm may not have completely subsided. It will take some time to post this, but the name Kuurne remains strongly linked to the race in question and will also receive the finish.

OF QUICKENBORNE AND THE THREE TRUMPS

During that press chat, Van Quickenborne also highlighted the positive points for his Kortrijk that are associated with organizing the start. “There are three major assets for our city. We have again been nominated to become Flanders’ best cycling city.”

The West Flemish city is committed to getting people to cycle and the race will contribute to this. “Trump number two: it’s a great event. I’ve had the chance to go there a few times. For us, February was a dark month with not much to do.”

GRAND MARKET WILL BE FULL FOR KUURNE-BRUSSELS-KUURNE

That must change now. “February-March is always the period in which we restart events and so Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne is a very nice opportunity for us. The Grote Markt and the streets around it will certainly fill up.” As is otherwise the case on, for example, the Velofollies.

“Trump number three: we are an opportunity that absolutely wants to give top sport a chance. When it comes to cycling, Kortrijk has always lagged a bit behind. We now have the X2O cyclocross, but we did not yet have a cycling classic.” That will change in 2024.