De Brabantse Pijl goes back to its roots with start in Beersel
Beersel will be the starting point for the 65th edition of De Brabantse Pijl on Friday 18 April. With the move from Leuven to Beersel, De Brabantse Pijl is going back to its roots. For the women’s race, there is no change. As it has been for the past five years, the starting point remains the Markt in Lennik. Both races finish as usual in Overijse.
The area around Beersel provided the colour for the De Brabantse Pijl route for many years. Climbs such as the Alsemberg and Bruine Put are familiar names if you delve into the history of De Brabantse Pijl. In recent years, the peloton has in fact been visiting Beersel again for a local loop west of Brussels, before tackling the local laps in Overijse.
Now De Brabantse Pijl is going fully back to its roots. As from 2025, the men’s race will be starting in Beersel. The agreement between Beersel and the organisers of De Brabantse Pijl (Flanders Classics and Rode Sportief) covers the next 5 years.
Jo Vander Meylen, Mayor of Beersel: “We are proud that Beersel will be giving the starting signal for De Brabantse Pijl. We live and breathe cycling here. The arrival of this prestigious cycling race brings with it not only a sporting image but also a unique experience for our residents. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience the race up close. We are looking forward to working with Flanders Classics and Rode Sportief to create a fantastic edition.”
Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics: “Innovation while embracing the traditions of cycling is how we at Flanders Classics approach the changes we make. And that is exactly what this move to Beersel represents. We are going back to the roots of De Brabantse Pijl in the region around Beersel. Together with the finale, that reaches its climax in and around Overijse since 2010, we are continuing to shape the identity of this race which ushers in the Ardennes classics. Even more so this year, as the move from Wednesday to Friday brings our classic closer to the Amstel Gold Race, which should have a positive effect on the start lists. We are therefore proud to join hands with Lokaal Bestuur Beersel as we work to embed De Brabantse Pijl further in its original habitat.”
Marc Vettori, president of WSC Rode Sportief vzw: “We are thrilled that Beersel will be hosting the start of the next 5 editions of the men’s race. Our organisation has its home in the region and that was also the case for De Brabantse Pijl in the past. We are preparing eagerly for our return to Beersel and 18 April will feel like a true homecoming.”
Course presentation
The impact of these changes on the route of De Brabantse Pijl will be presented to the press on Monday 10 February in Beersel. The official invitation to this press event will follow in due course.
