Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is the second act of the men’s Opening Weekend, the race that answers the question Omloop Het Nieuwsblad always leaves hanging. Was yesterday a one-off burst of early-season chaos, or a sign that the strongest teams have already found their shape?
While the women race Omloop van het Hageland today, the men head from Kortrijk to Kuurne over 194.9 kilometres and 12 climbs. It often finishes with a reduced sprint, but it is never guaranteed. If the wind bites and the racing is aggressive over the key hills, the attackers can still flip the script.
Below is everything you need to watch Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne live in the UK, USA and Canada, plus the free options available in Belgium.
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne key information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, March 1, 2026 |
| Distance | 194.9 km |
| Route | Kortrijk to Kuurne |
| Likely finish | Reduced sprint or late attack |
| Defending winner | Jasper Philipsen |
Photo Credit: GettyKuurne-Brussel-Kuurne start time and finish time
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is one of those races where the final hour matters most, but it still helps to know when the day properly comes alive on TV.
| Timezone | Start | Finish (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| CET | 12:10 | 17:00 |
| GMT (UK) | 11:10 | 16:00 |
| ET | 06:10 | 11:00 |
Can I watch Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne for free?
Yes, if you are in Belgium.
Belgian viewers get free-to-air coverage through the public broadcasters, with separate options depending on language region.
| Country | Broadcaster | How to watch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium (Flanders) | VRT | TV coverage and streaming via Sporza | Free in Belgium |
| Belgium (Wallonia) | RTBF | TV coverage and streaming via Auvio | Free in Belgium |
Geo-restrictions apply outside Belgium, so if you are travelling, you may find your usual Belgian stream does not work until you return to a Belgian connection.
Where can I watch Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in the UK?
UK coverage is on TNT Sports 2 and Discovery+.
Coverage starts at 1:30pm GMT, which is well-timed. You get the phase where the race begins to tighten and teams start to take ownership of the front of the bunch, rather than just the final kilometres.
| Platform | How to watch | Start time (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| TNT Sports 2 | TV channel | 1:30pm GMT |
| Discovery+ | Streaming | 1:30pm GMT |
Discovery+ subscriptions are listed at £30.99 per month.
Where can I watch Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in the USA?
In the United States, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is live on HBO Max.
| Platform | How to watch | Cost note |
|---|---|---|
| HBO Max | Streaming | Plans with live sports are listed at $18.49 per month |
One important note if you are near the border or travelling. FloBikes holds the rights in Canada, but viewers in the USA are geo-blocked from the Canadian stream.
Photo Credit: GettyWhere can I watch Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in Canada?
In Canada, the race is live on FloBikes.
| Platform | How to watch | Cost note |
|---|---|---|
| FloBikes | Streaming | Listed at $39.99 per month |
Why Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is not always “just a sprint”
The headline names suggest a sprint finale, and most years that is the most likely outcome. Jasper Philipsen won last season, and he returns to face rivals like Arnaud De Lie, Biniam Girmay, and Christophe Laporte.
But Kuurne is never as simple as lining up the fastest men and waiting. The middle of the race has enough climbing to soften pure sprinters, and the finale can reward teams who decide the best way to beat a fast finisher is to make sure he never gets a clean run in the first place.
When the racing gets serious, look for two cues:
- If the bunch hits the key hills at full speed and teams start to lose riders early, the sprint group will shrink quickly.
- If a strong move goes clear and the teams behind hesitate for even a minute, Kuurne can become a game of brinkmanship rather than a straight chase.
Watching tip for Opening Weekend Sunday
If you are switching between races today, it is a brilliant contrast. Omloop van het Hageland is all about repeated sharp stress on narrow lanes and cobbles, while Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne gives you the longer, more classic rhythm of a men’s one-day race that gradually builds toward a decisive finale.
If Kuurne looks calm early, do not be fooled. It usually stays that way right up until it doesn’t.
