ProTeam Former winners Philippe Gilbert and Tim Wellens at the start of Brabantse Pijl

On Wednesday 13 April, the Flemish spring Classics’ season will be drawn to a close with the 62^nd Brabantse Pijl. In Leuven, the starting shot will be given for over 200 kilometres of racing, including no less than 25 hills. After a first loop of over 100 kilometres, the race continues in and around Overijse for three local laps including climbs as Hertstraat, Moskesstraat and Holstheide, which can be of crucial importance in the unfolding of the race.

Besides Cedric Beullens, Andreas Kron, Roger Kluge, Sébastien Grignard and Victor Campenaerts, Lotto Soudal also has two former winners within its line-up for Brabantse Pijl. In the past, Philippe Gilbert reached the podium of this race for an incredible five times, twice as winner: in 2011 and 2014. Also Tim Wellens knows how it feels to win in Overijse because the 30-year-old Belgian soloed to victory in 2018. Both Wellens and Gilbert look forward to their seventh and eleventh participation at the Brabantse Pijl.

Tim Wellens: “Being a Belgian team, the Brabantse Pijl is an important race for Lotto Soudal, despite not having the WorldTour status”, says Tim Wellens. “So I am really looking forward to racing because in the past, we’ve set some strong team performances there. Also personally, I have fond memories of racing Brabantse Pijl as I won the event in 2018 and finished third the year after. With the hills following in quick succession, it’s a race that suits my qualities as a rider just perfectly. The shape is good and the legs felt excellent during the Amstel Gold Race. I expect the racing to be full gas once we hit the local laps with plenty of attacks to follow. But eventually, the race will most likely be decided in the final lap. With amongst others Andreas Kron, Philippe Gilbert and Victor Campenaerts we can definitely animate the race. We need to race offensively and with confidence.”

Also two-time winner Philippe Gilbert has nice memories of his participations at the Brabantse Pijl and is looking forward to be at the start in Leuven for the eleventh and final time.

“Brabantse Pijl is a semi-Classic and a beautiful race where I really enjoy to be at the start. Besides I often obtained very good results at the race. With five podium places during ten participations – of which two victories – you can talk about a nice series. The atmosphere at the race is always quite special and the course suits me perfectly. It’s a really demanding course on which you can really race but it also causes a nervous day in the saddle where danger lurks around every corner. I really look forward to being at the start on Wednesday, as part of a strong Lotto Soudal selection”, concludes Philippe Gilbert.

Foto's: Photo News & Maxime Van der Wielen.