Brabantse Pijl 2021: The Route

Wednesday 14 April - Brabantse Pijl is a hilly classic that's played out in Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant. None of the climbs are hard in themselves, but the ceaseless succession wears the riders out. Taking in 27 climbs, the route adds up to 201.7 kilometres.

It has been decided to close all attractive points on the course and both start and finish are also public-free.

The race will be played out on familiar roads, but the finish will be different. The riders click into their pedals in Leuven, which will be the hub of the World Championships this autumn, and set off for a zigzag journey through Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant. In fact, the riders face a number of climbs that will be included in the route of the Worlds’ road race as well. Most notably, the sharp and cobbled climb up the Moskesstraat.

The race adds up to 201.7 kilometres and contains 27 hills. The finale comes down to three laps of approximately 21.9 kilometres, all three featuring the Hagaard climb (1 kilometre at 3.9%), Hertstraat (700 metres at 4.5%), Moskesstraat (550 metres at 8.9%), Holstheide (1 kilomtre at 5%) and the finish climb on Brusselsesteenweg (1 kilometre at 3%).

In recent year, the finish climb was on the Schavei, which runs parallel to the Brusselsesteenweg. The Schavei can’t be used this edition because of construction works.

Last year’s race came down to a clash of pre-race favourites Mathieu van der Poel Julian Alaphilippe, and Benoît Cosnefroy. The World Champion took the spoils, partly because Van der Poel was boxed in in the sprint.

Another interesting read: results 2021 Brabantse Pijl.