Brussels Cycling Classic
The Brussels Cycling Classic, formerly known as Paris-Brussels until June 2013, stands as one of Europe's seminal semi-classics and among the oldest races on the international cycling calendar. Originally started on August 12, 1893, as an amateur race covering a whopping 397 km, Belgian Andre Henry clinched the inaugural victory. After a hiatus, the event reemerged in 1906 as a two-day affair and soon settled into a single-day format by 1907.
Despite losing prominence in the 1960s due to logistical challenges and the rise of the Amstel Gold Race, the event found new life in the 1970s with a shift to a September date, just before Paris-Tours. The race has witnessed legendary moments, such as Octave Lapize's victories and Robbie McEwen setting a record with five wins. In 2013, the race was rebranded as the Brussels Cycling Classic and altered to take place entirely within Belgium, introducing a new route that includes several challenging climbs and finishes in Brussels.
Course of the Brussels Cycling Classic
The Brussels Cycling Classic has undergone several transformations in terms of its course and length over the years. Historically, the race was a grueling challenge, often exceeding 400 km, with the longest editions in 1913 and 1914 stretching up to 440 km. The route has evolved significantly since then, with the 2010 edition covering a distance of 218 km. Traditionally starting from areas north-east of Paris. The finish line has also shifted over the years, moving from the Anderlecht district in Brussels to the iconic Atomium in recent editions. Since 2013, when the race was rebranded as the Brussels Cycling Classic, it has exclusively taken place within Belgium, weaving through regions like Walloon Brabant, Flemish Brabant, and the Brussels-Capital Region, totaling a distance of 201 km with multiple challenging ascents.
Recent winners of the Brussels Cycling Classic
2023: Arnaud Démare (France)
2022: Taco van der Hoorn (Netherlands)
2021: Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
2020: Tim Merlier (Belgium)
2019: Caleb Ewan (Australia)
2018: Pascal Ackermann (Germany)
2017: Arnaud Démare (France)
2016: Tom Boonen (Belgium)
2015: Dylan Groenewegen (Netherlands)
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024