Brabantse Pijl 2016: Petr Vakoc powers to win

At 203.1 kilometres, the 2016 edition of Brabantse Pijl has 26 hills on offer and, as often, is decided on the last one. The 23-year old Czech champion Petr Vakoc attacks at Schavei and he powers to the win. Gasparotto and Gallopin can't follow his pace and they finish in second and in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results Brabantse Pijl

1. Petr Vakoc (cze)
2. Enrico Gasparotto (ita)
3. Tony Gallopin (fra)
4. Bryan Coquard (fra)
5. Michael Matthews (aus)
6. Sonny Colbrelli (ita)
7. Maurits Lammertink (nld)
8. Julian Alaphilippe (fra)
9. Tom-Jelte Slagter (nld)
10. Loic Vliegen (bel)

Race report
After a brief stint upfront by Albert Timmer, Martijn Verschoor, Emanuel Buchmann, Yanto Barker, Giacomo Tomio and Daniel Teklehaimanot it is a group of four that does manage to force a considerable gap. Oliver Zaugg, Emanuel Buchmann, Sergej Nikolachev and Alberto Cecchin race to a maximum lead at 5’30”.

With 70 kms left the front group is accompanied by Martin Mortensen, Sean De Bie, Pieter Serry, Daryl Impey and Christian Mager. Following some shifts the front group is made up of Serry, Impey, De Bie, Vliegen, Theuns, Van der Sande and Mortensen, but with 32 kms remaining the pack is bunched again.

A little later Tim Wellens jumps clear and Julian Alaphilippe bridges the gap. With one lap (23,4 kms) left they enjoy a 0’16” gain, but halfway the last round they are caught. Pieter Weening is next, but the Dutchman doesn’t make it either.

After the climb up the IJskelderlaan Tony Gallopin attacks and Alaphilippe, Vakoc, Tanner and Gasparotto join him. They push on and at the bottom of the last climb up the Schavei Vakoc leaves his companions alone. Gasparatto desperately tries to cross over, but it’s in vain. The 23-year old is too strong, so Vakoc takes the win.