Brabantse Pijl – or, La Flèche Brabançonne – is sandwiched between the cobbled Classics in Flanders/Northern France and the hilly Classics in Wallonia/the Netherlands. In fact, that’s quite accurate – it really is a transition race. Hardly any cobbles and the hills are less tricky than in Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Yet, with a daunting gauntlet of 27 ascents it’s not a walk in the park either.
Title defender Sonny Colbrelli is the only contenders who tasted the sweetness of success in La Flèche Brabançonne. Other still racing former winners are Petr Vakoč (2016), Ben Hermans (2015), Philippe Gilbert (2014, 2011), Peter Sagan (2013), and Sylvain Chavanel (2008)
Tiesj Benoot is favourite to win the 2018 edition. He was in fine form during the whole Flemish campaign, while he won Strade Bianche last month in heroic style. His team-mate Tim Wellens is another major contender. The Flemish attacker pocketed a stage win and the GC in the Ruta del Sol before he went on with a strong performance in paris-Nice.
Favourites 2018 Brabantse Pijl
*** Tiesj Benoot, Tim Wellens, Sonny Colbrelli, Dylan Teuns
** Christopher Juul-Jensen, Daryl Impey, Bob Jungels, Edvald Boasson Hagen,
* Warren Barguil, Pieter Weening, Enrico Battaglin
Brabantse Pijl 2018: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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3D bird’s eye route
Zaventem en Overijsse op Google Maps
Scheduled times
Streetview finish at Ijskelderlaan
Videos Flanders Classics
Instagram @brabantsepijlofficial
Brabantse Pijl Tweets