From pavés to the Ardennes
The position on the calendar of the Brabantse Pijl - La Flèche Brabaçone, on Wednesday between Paris-Roubaix and Amstel Gold Race, makes the last race of the flemish spring the perfect bridge between the cobbled classics and the triptych of the Ardennes. Previously, the race was an important race in preparation for the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, but since 2010 it has been consolidated on the current dates. In addition, the combination of cobbled and paved climbs also refers us to the transition from the pavés to the Ardennes.
Women's race
Route: The women's race has a total of 141 kilometers. After about 50 mostly flat kilometers, the cyclists will arrive in Overijse, where 4 laps of a local circuit await them. The circuit includes five short climbs: Hagaard (0.3 km at 10%), Hertstraat (0.7 km at 3.6 %), Moskesstraat (0.5 km at 7.6%), Holstheide (1 km at 5.2%) and S-bocht Overijse (1.3 km at 3.8%), where the finish line is located. Of these five climbs, Herstraat and Moskesstraat are on cobblestones.
Favorites: Demi Vollering (1200), Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (1000), Marlen Reusser (800), Silvia Persico (800), Mavi Garcia (800), Alison Jackson (800), Marta Cavalli (800), Kristen Faulkner (1000), Lucinda Brand (800), Alexandra Manly (800), Sofia Bertizzolo (800), Pauliena Rooijakkers (600), Karlijn Swinkels (600), Shirin Van Anrooij (400) and Anna Henderson (600) are the main favorites.
Men's race
Course: The men's event covers 200 kilometers and includes some more climbing in the first half of the course, but the decisive part of the race is identical to that of the women's race, with 4 laps around the Overijse circuit.
Favorites: Magnus Sheffield (400), Dylan Teuns (600), Marc Hirschi (600), Bauke Mollema (600), Alfred Wright (600), Neilson Powless (600), Mauro Schmid (400), Ethan Hayter (1200), Quinn Simmons 400), Andrea Bagioli (400), Quinten Hermans (400), Warren Barguil (400), Arnaud De Lie (200), Soren Kragh Andersen (400), Florian Vermeersch (200) and Greg Van Avermaet (400) are some of the top names present on the start list.
Photo: © Flanders Classics