World-class riders at the start in Beersel and Lennik
For the first time, De Brabantse Pijl will take place on the Friday before the Amstel Gold Race. This combination in one race weekend brings many world-class athletes to the start line. Among others, Van der Breggen, and Vos will be at the start in Lennik. On the men's side, all eyes will be on Van Aert and Pidcock in Beersel. Both Olympic champions Evenepoel and Faulkner will also be there.
It was previously announced that the start of De Brabantse Pijl for the men will move to Beersel. In the beautiful setting of the Provincial Domain of Huizingen, the peloton will start on Friday, April 18, at 13:30 for a 163 km ride towards Overijse. So, a shorter and tougher De Brabantse Pijl, combined with the Amstel Gold Race in the same weekend. In this way, the race further emphasizes its role as the transition from the cobbled classics to the Ardennes classics, even more so than in the past.
Soon after the start, the first climbs of the day follow with the Alsemberg and Bruine Put. After passing through Lennik, the peloton heads to the Alsemberg for a second time, this time combined with the Beerselberg. Then, the peloton crosses over to Overijse, where a finale with three local laps awaits. Each lap includes the climbs of Hertstraat, Moskesstraat, Holstheide, and S-Bocht.
The same finale awaits the women in and around Overijse. Their race starts at 11:25 at the Markt in Lennik. The Beerselberg and Bruine Put are their first climbs of the day, immediately putting them on the same route as the men. In total, their race will cover 126 km, with 19 climbs along the way.
The successors of Elisa Longo Borghini and Benoit Cosnefroy will be known at 14:40 and 17:10, respectively.
Participants women
For the fifth time, the female participants will sign the start sheet in Lennik. The provisional start list includes the name of Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ), who won De Brabantse Pijl in 2023. The greatest competition is expected to come from the Netherlands, with Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx – Protime) and Marianne Vos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) in attendance. The young multi-talent Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) and Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner (EF Education – Oatly) will also be present.
Participants men
Just like with the women, the provisional start list for the men also features many world-class riders. Local hero and Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) expressed his ambition to win De Brabantse Pijl a long time ago. To do so, he will need to beat the likes of Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team). The latter already won De Brabantse Pijl in 2021, beating Van Aert at the time.
Dylan Teuns (Cofidis), who finished second last year, and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG), a former winner (2018) and third last year, will also be present. Additionally, the provisional start list includes the names of Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and the duo Hermans – Del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
