From Flanders to the Ardennes
Since 2010, the Brabantse Pijl has been held on the Wednesday between Paris-Roubaix and Amstel Gold Race, so it works as a transition race between the Flanders and the Ardennes classics. In addition, the course presents a combination of paved and cobbled slopes, so the profile itself is already a perfect hybrid between both types of race.
Route
The race takes place in the Flemish Brabant region, starting in Leuven and finishing in Overijse, where the riders will have to take four laps on a circuit that includes several short climbs, some of them cobbled.
Favorites
Due to their situation on the calendar, the applicants are a combination of flandriens who maintain their form and Ardennes specialists who carry advanced preparation.
The main favorite will be once again Wout Van Aert (1000), and we’ll have to look for his main rivals in men such as Michael Matthews (1000), Jasper Stuyven (600), Benoit Cosnefroy (400), Sonny Colbrelli (600), Dylan Teuns (800), Bryan Coquard (400) or Anthony Turgis (400). We take the opportunity to remembered that in these previews we avoid commenting on 200-credit riders, so there may be some bargain not mentioned. Therein lies each one's scouting job!