The last race before Roubaix
De Brabantse Pijl - La Flèche Brabançonne has served in recent years as a bridge between the cobbled classics and the triptych of the Ardennes. However, on this occasion, as Amstel Gold Race and Paris-Roubaix exchanged dates to respect the French presidential election, this Belgian classic will work this year as the last test before Paris-Roubaix.
Route
The route’s profile is a combination of paved and cobbled hills, with narrow roads and secondary paths on cement. The final 22 km circuit around Overijse, which the cyclists will have to cover on four occasions, includes the climbs of Hagaard (0.4 km at 7.5%), Hertstraat (0.7 km at 3, 7%), Holstheide (1 km at 5%), S-Bocht (1.3 km at 3.7%) and the famous Moskesstraat (0.7 km at 7%), where the decisive attacks have taken place in previous editions.
Favorites
Thomas Pidcock (200) will be on the start line to try to defend the title won last year, and to do so, Team Ineos will accompany him with a strong formation with multiple options, including Michal Kwiatkowski (600), Ethan Hayter (1000) and Jhonatan Narvaez (200). Quick Step - Alpha Vinyl also has two big contenders in Julian Alaphilippe (1200) and Remco Evenenpoel (1200). Other candidates for victory are Benoît Cosnefroy (400), Michael Matthews (800), Marc Hirschi (600), Matteo Trentin (600), Warren Barguil (400), Dylan Teuns (600), Victor Campenaerts (400), Tim Wellens (600), Ide Schelling (400) or Oliver Naesen (400).