Mark Cavendish wins Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne
Mark Cavendish takes bunch sprint finish to win Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne for the second time in his career
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DxZ86jVrHKFNECVL4i9PHZ-415-80.jpg)
Mark Cavendish wins the 2015 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne
Mark Cavendish (Etixx-Quick Step) won Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in Belgium on Sunday with a typically explosive sprint finish.
Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) finished behind in second, while Sky’s Elia Viviani managed third.
This is the second time the Manxman has won this particular classic, having previously been successful in 2012. As on that occasion, Cavendish triumphed in a bunch sprint. Having managed to get on the wheel of Kristoff as he opened up his sprint, Cavendish emerged from his slipstream to glide past the Norwegian and win relatively comfortably.
Kristoff’s Katusha team had appeared to have done everything right in the run-in to the finish, having led at the front of the peloton for most of the final 30km, and with their final lead out man placing Kristoff at the front of the bunch to start his sprint. But Cavendish’s speed was too much for him, and he had to settle for being runner-up.
Ian Stannard wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for second time
Ian Stannard manages to beat three Etixx-QuickStep riders in escape group to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for second consecutive time
Philippe Gilbert (BMC) had threatened to prevent the expected bunch-sprint finish with a strong attack with just under five kilometres to go. Despite riding into a headwind, he managed to open up a lead of 10 seconds, but was caught just after the one kilometre to go banner.
Earlier, the race had been split into two groups after Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) applied pressure on the Oude Kwaremont. He was joined by a handful of Etixx teammates – including Cavendish – and several other big names such as Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo), the previous day's Het Nieuwsblad winner Ian Stannard (Sky) and Kristoff to form a lead group of around twenty.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The group managed to build a lead of one minute and had looked as though they may avoid being caught, but was dragged back by the chasing group with 35km to go thanks largely to the work put in by MTN-Qhubeka.
Despite having worked hard to make the split, Cavendish clearly had very fresh legs in the finale. His form looks encouraging for his next targets, including the upcoming Milan-San Remo.
Results
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2015, 196km
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Etixx-Quick Step
2. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Sky
4. Tom Van Asbroeck (Bel) LottoNL-Jumbo
5. Daniele Colli (Ita) Southeast Pro Cycling
6. Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux) BMC
7. Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto-Soudal
8. Kristian Sbaragli (Ita) MTN-Qhubeka
9. Raymond Kreder (Ned) Roompot
10. Matteo Pelucchi (Ita) IAM Cycling all same time
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stephen Puddicombe is a freelance journalist for Cycling Weekly, who regularly contributes to our World Tour racing coverage with race reports, news stories, interviews and features. Outside of cycling, he also enjoys writing about film and TV - but you won't find much of that content embedded into his CW articles.
-
MADE, world’s largest handmade bike show, returns to Portland this August; tickets on sale now
MADE, the world’s largest celebration of the art and craftsmanship of bicycle building, will return for its second edition in Portland, Oregon, this August.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
We tried the Santini Unisex jersey and it made me challenge my preconceived prejudices
As a concept, unisex clothing sounds like a compromise that inhibits personal choice. Santini's take, with its clever design, high-tech fabrics and appealing hues, is anything but
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-
End of an era: Witnessing Mark Cavendish's last ever Tour de France sprint
The Astana Qazaqstan rider finished 17th in Nîmes in what is almost definitely his last ever sprint at the Tour. Cycling Weekly was there to see it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'upset and angry' after being relegated for 'deviation' on Tour de France stage 12
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider originally finished fifth, before being relegated
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rod Ellingworth 'totally open' to Mark Cavendish making Tour of Britain appearance
'There will always be a place for Mark' says race director after Cavendish’s Tour de France record breaking triumph in Saint-Vulbas
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish says he has 'one' opportunity left to take another Tour de France stage win
The Manxman was left frustrated after finishing 18th on stage 10
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish fined for drafting behind race car at Tour de France
Sprinter receives 200CHF sanction and points deduction after stage six
By Tom Davidson Published