This year marks the 56th edition of Brabantse Pijl, a race which takes place between the cobbled Belgian and French classics, and the hillier classics of Belgium and the Netherlands.
The race features no less than 26 climbs, and provides a good opportunity for riders who prepared their form for the earlier cobbled races of the season to try one last time for a good result.
More than anything, the event is considered to be a good indicator of form in the run-up to the Ardennes races, with several of the past editions of the race providing the scene for a contest between the Ardennes specialists.
The style of racing at Brabantse Pijl isn’t necessarily as aggressive as the cobbled races, and the climbs are not as steep as those of the Ardennes Classics. However, what makes the parcours particularly difficult is the positioning of the hills along the course.
Although none of the climbs are overly steep, they tend to come in quick succession, which takes its toll over 203.1 kilometres. Some of the race’s short, sharp climbs – such as the Hertstraat in this year’s race – even feature cobblestones.
The course remains virtually unchanged from last year. Starting in Leuven, the riders will head in a south-westerly direction, and then turn back along the same roads into the finishing town of Overijse. During this part of the course, the favourites will likely be content to let a breakaway escape, and reel them back in by the time the finishing circuit approaches.
The 23.4 kilometre-long circuit comes after the first 133 kilometres of racing (as well as its 11 climbs), and must be completed three times. Featuring 15 ascents inside the final 70 kilometres, these circuits provide for a difficult finish in Overijse.
By the time the riders hit the first lap, not only will the tempo pick up, but the course will also become significantly more demanding. The riders will face the climb of the Hagaard approximately three kilometres after passing the finish line for the first time, followed by the Hertstraat a little less than four kilometres later, and the Holstheide in a further 6.5 kilometres.
Then, within five kilometres from the finish line, the Ijskelderlaan awaits the riders, followed by a technical descent, and subsequently the Schavei, which lies within the final 1.5 kilometres of the finish. The latter is an ascent where many riders find themselves struggling to hold the pace. It is generally an extremely decisive point in the day, so much so that the race usually comes down to the Schavei ascent, which provides for a style of racing that arguably suits the puncheurs.
BMC’s Philippe Gilbert is out of the race this year, so Ben Hermans will attempt to defend his title against favourites such as Etixx – Quick-Step’s Julian Alaphilippe, Orica-GreenEDGE’s Michael Matthews and Cannondale’s Tom-Jelte Slagter.
With Matthews considered the stand-out favourite, other teams will toughen up the race to avoid taking the sprint at the finish line in Overijse, which will make for a very unpredictable day of racing.
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Tadej Pogacar has won a drama-packed Tour of Flanders, winning in a breakaway with Matieu van der Poel second, Mads Pedersen third and Wout…
Women are not allowed to compete in the Tour de France. However you choose to re-read that sentence, the fact remains: the most famous…
The jam-packed month-by-month quiz full of 2022 sports trivia!
Australian Grace Brown has won silver in the women's time trial, the first event at the world road cycling championships.
