The stars for Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: sprint clash between De Lie and Jakobsen? | Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

Winning was (just) impossible, but Arnaud De Lie impressed in his first Omloop. Anyone who tames the Wall of Geraardsbergen after a fall and bad luck on his outer leaf should also be able to be the alpha male in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

Last year there was relief among the blue jackets after Fabio Jakobsen flushed the rattled Omloop in Kuurne. Soudal-Quick Step has to count on its top sprinter again today.

The European champion has already suffered a remarkable number of sprint defeats, but says he is in excellent shape. Will he be the savior of the opening weekend again?

He had expected more from it, but Jasper Philipsen was never really in the race in the Omloop and a fall on the Muur definitely ended his chances. In Kuurne he will be eager for revenge.

Rash due to antibiotics or not, you can still build a house on Alexander Kristoff. After a hard race, the Norwegian – 4th in Ninove – is at his best.

Bryan Coquard may be the surprise of our chefs, but the Frenchman may have completely freed himself in the Tour Down Under with his first WorldTour victory.

And Jumbo Visma? Without a top sprinter, their chances are dwindling, but as an attacker, Christophe Laporte was only caught in the last hectometres last year.

And master servant Jan Tratnik made such an impression between Ghent and Ninove that he is also on the shortlist.

The last bench is completed by the tall Jonathan Milan, who may have learned his lesson after yesterday and will fully bet on his sprint.

Ex-winner Jasper Stuyven and Tim Wellens cannot do that: do they appeal to their tactical ingenuity, just like yesterday’s winner?