59th Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2006 (Cat 1.1)

By Ben Lyons

In what was a cold semi-classic, the riders certainly tested out their form in what should be a hot season, global warming aside. One day after the Omloop Het Volk, won by Philippe Gilbert, riders took to the 194km course that put up some exciting and sometimes mysterious tactics.

With some wind and a nip in the the air the last 80km or so was filled with glimpses of excellent early season form, and some exciting attacks. Steve Cummings (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) laid down the hammer for a while opening up a shortly lived 2'20" gap on the peloton grabbing some sponsor shots and nice credit. After Steve Cummings was brought back attention was on the leaner, meaner looking Roger Hammond (Dicovery Channel) who took a small group up the road, which lasted a good while and showed those watching that Roger Hammond may be one to watch in the classics; his physique and form where looking dangerous to many commenting on the race.

While Serge Baguet (Quick Step), Lorenzo Bernucci (T-Mobile), Nico Mattan (Davitamon), Joost Posthuma (Rabobank), Roger Hammond (Discovery), Erwin Thijs (Unibet) held the lead for a good it, it Tom Boonen (Quick Step) attacked with a small group that contained his team mate Nick Nuyens and took over with just under 30km to go. Boonen, who is looking incredibly strong, and some said taller, worked hard to keep things in control but early season nerves made out for rough cooperation during the last 20km.

Eventually the race came down to the last 6km while riders glanced constantly around to see who was where and who looked ready to attack, and in his great style the powerful Nick Nuyens (Quick Step) jumped away from the group. The break was quickly nullified. Undeterred, Nick attacked again in the last 4km Nuyens split from the group again! This time his effort was successful as Nuyens powered away from the lead group who was under the watchful eye of Boonen, to a excellent solo win

Top 9 Finishers (Provisional)
1 Nick Nuyens (Bel) Quick.Step
2 Leif Hoste (Bel) Discovery
3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick.Step
4 Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Chocolade Jacques
5 Matthe Pronk (Ned) Unibet.com
6 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto
7 Johan Coenen (Bel) Unibet.com
8 Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel) Discovery
9 Kevin Van Impe (Bel) Quick.Step