Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, GP Lugano canceled
Races canceled due to heavy snow across northern Europe
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Organizers of Sunday’s Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne semi-classic took action to cancel the race due to snowfall across Belgium. The GP Lugano in Switzerland was also canceled on Sunday.
“As an organization, we took the decision hellish! Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2013 canceled due to heavy snowfall. Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne opts for safety,” KBK organizers wrote on the race’s website. “Until next year, and this with better weather.”
Fans with tickets to the evening reception or walking dinner may still attend those events. The finish tent will broadcast the Bpost Bank Trofee finale from Oostmalle, Belgium, with a live D.J. playing.
“There was really a significant risk to ride on such roads today,” said IAM Cycling director Eddy Seigneur. “Team managers of the four first team cars in the race column took this decision with the organizers. Given the pain experienced by our two riders who fell on [Omloop Het] Nieuwsblad yesterday, it’s not a bad thing.”
In Switzerland, the Lugano race, where Cadel Evans and Philippe Gilbert were set to lead BMC Racing, was also a no-go.
“From a rider’s perspective, I was dressed and had my numbers pinned on almost ready to go,” Evans wrote on his website. “Nice race, a better course for me this year too, but also, with our whole season ahead of us — spending four or five hours soaking wet in zero-to-two degrees is unlikely to benefit our preparation, but very likely to hinder it. Not to mention the risk of ice on the road and the mayhem that can cause.”