Brabantse Pijl 2025, April 18

[gavia88]

Solheide would be much more fun, as that has a steep cobbled part, but no.

Why they nowadays don't climb Hagaard, IJskerlderlaan and Schavei anymore?

 

[Didinho]

Solheide would be much more fun, as that has a steep cobbled part, but no.

Why they nowadays don't climb Hagaard, IJskerlderlaan and Schavei anymore?

After the Worlds they’ve changed it I think. I’ve always liked the Schavei as the finish, it was harder. Now you got the S-bend and the last km straight, around 4%.
They had road works on the Hagaard, maybe that’s why they changed the route and stick to it. A shame they don’t ride it anymore. One of my favorite climbs in the area, especially with the new asphalt.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Solheide would be much more fun, as that has a steep cobbled part, but no.

Why they nowadays don't climb Hagaard, IJskerlderlaan and Schavei anymore?

I second that. Moreover I miss Drogenberg.

 

[gavia88]

I second that. Moreover I miss Drogenberg.

which climb is that?

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

which climb is that?

I don't remember exact location but from within center of Overijse. Quite steep and narrow with bend and trees, and with 90 degree sharp corner entrence difference coud be made. Remember the name from one of the editions in either early or late 90ies (edit: no must be later editions AFAIR - or maybe my mind is playing games with me and I'm thinking of a criterum? nomatter what it would suit Brabrantse very well)

 

[gavia88]

I don't remember exact location but from within center of Overijse. Quite steep and narrow with bend and trees, and with 90 degree sharp corner entrence difference coud be made. Remember the name from one of the editions in either early or late 90ies (edit: no must be later editions AFAIR - or maybe my mind is playing games with me and I'm thinking of a criterum? nomatter what it would suit Brabrantse very well)

Well, in the 90's the Brabantse Pijl was raced on the Sunday before the RVV. With a circuit with the Bruine Put and the Alsemberg.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Is it only me when I see Druivenkoers I Read it as Drunkenvoers LOL.

Nice misread. I read something like Druidkoers the first time. Which leads me to the question: who's the drunken druid in the peloton?

 

[Lequack]

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[Zoetemelk-fan]

Well, in the 90's the Brabantse Pijl was raced on the Sunday before the RVV. With a circuit with the Bruine Put and the Alsemberg.

Yes, indeed my memory is rusty
I just checked at Google Maps and found Drogenberg to be adjacent to Schavei, starting a few hundred meters in further western direction.

 

[kingjr]

Yes, indeed my memory is rusty
I just checked at Google Maps and found Drogenberg to be adjacent to Schavei, starting a few hundred meters in further western direction.

First the Drunkenvoers and now the Drogenberg... sounds like one can have a good time in that area

 

[Didinho]

Yes, indeed my memory is rusty
I just checked at Google Maps and found Drogenberg to be adjacent to Schavei, starting a few hundred meters in further western direction.

Seems like we can’t ride it uphill with the prohibitory sign. Didn’t even know this street, or that is was used in the race before. Even today I went passed it without knowing.

 

[E_F_]

Seems like we can’t ride it uphill with the prohibitory sign. Didn’t even know this street, or that is was used in the race before. Even today I went passed it without knowing.

Seeing as you're local, doesn't it frustrate you a little that they don't use Mommaertsstraat and the southern part of Hertstraat? I also remember reading something about Alf. Moerenhoutstraat being cobbled now?

 

[danielzu]

Seems like astana is not participating at all. They have been removed from the startlist from pcs

 

[Didinho]

Seeing as you're local, doesn't it frustrate you a little that they don't use Mommaertsstraat and the southern part of Hertstraat? I also remember reading something about Alf. Moerenhoutstraat being cobbled now?

I think most races are wanting to do a good local lap for well known reasons. Moskes and Mommaerts are ending on the same street, so you have to chose one of them. Southern Hertstraat was in the tourist route but downhill, only done once and never again. But also not in the right direction to have in this lap.

Haven’t read anything about the Alf. Moeren. Don’t even know it I think. But on 1 April there was a prank picture that the Smeysberg would be cobbled. So maybe that was the case. (Edit: it’s the Speelberg I see, no that’s just a new perfect road now).

Having done the Hagaard today, I was thinking they don’t do it anymore because you had the run-in for the Hertstraat after that fast downhill and sharp turn. Now they stay lower and coming from the other side. A lot safer.

 

[Sciatic]

I think the loop makes it feel a bit cheap. Also they kinda just made it the Druivenkoers... The route is much easier than it could have been. They changed the starting and finishing cities.

Totally agree on all that

 

[gavia88]

I think most races are wanting to do a good local lap for well known reasons. Moskes and Mommaerts are ending on the same route, so you have to chose one of them. Southern Hertstraat was in the tourist route but downhill, only done once and never again. But also not in the right direction to have in this lap.

Haven’t read anything about the Alf. Moeren. Don’t even know it I think. But on 1 April there was a prank picture that the Smeysberg would be cobbled. So maybe that was the case. (Edit: it’s the Speelberg I see, no that’s just a new perfect road now).

Having done the Hagaard today, I was thinking they don’t do it anymore because you had the run-in for the Hertstraat after that fast downhill and sharp turn. Now they stay lower and coming from the other side. A lot safer.

yes, the full Herstraat-Postweg combo will be a bit tricky in the current climat with a lot of talking about safety, as you have to go downhill on cobbles first, before you go up again.

However, the speelberg (via Moerenhoutstraat) really would be a perfect addition. (New and very decent) Cobbles, steep and short. It should be a no brainer to add that one. Funny part is that it only a few years ago received cobbles, before I think it just was bad asfalt.

Some other nice candidates would be the Smeysberg itself, the Groeneweg (cobbled), the Bekestraat (cobbled climb that was on the WC route), Sohiestraat (in Hoeilaart), Vlierbeekberg (even a kind of a hairpin), Terspout or Smeiberg (cobbles).

 

[E_F_]

If they just ditched the circuit and instead only did the climbs once, they could fit all of them in there... https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50111615

 

[E_F_]

Funny part is that it only a few years ago received cobbles, before I think it just was bad asfalt.

Yeah, it's still asfalt on the latest (old) google streetview-images..!

 

[gavia88]

Ideally to could keep the first 50k with Alsemberg and Bruine Put before going to the circuit. Than 3x this circuit of just over 55k:
-Groeneweg (cobble climb)
- Bekestraat (steep cobble climb from the WC Flandrien circuit)
-Cobbles of the Oliestraat (although maybe the downhill is just to steep to be safe from this side)
-Huldenberg (insignificant bump, but was classified in the WC of Leuven)
-Smeysberg
-passage in Sint-Agatha-Rode
-Wijmingenstraat (steep cobbled climb)
-Moskestraat (even steeper cobble climb)
-Bergstraat (little climb on asfalt)
-Edgard Sohiestraat (steep asfalt climb)
-Vlierbeekberg (steep asfalt climb)
-Terspout (steep asfalt climb)
-Speelberg (via Moerenhoutstraat) (short but steep cobbled climb)
-Hertstraat (cobbled climb)
-Solheide (S-bocht combined with a steep cobbled part afterwards)
-finish


Maybe even more beautifull, start and finish in Leuven. Leuven - 3x times this circuit - back to Leuven - 1 or 2 times the city circuit in Leuven with the Wijnpers, Keizersberg and Sint-Antioniusberg

 

[E_F_]

Ideally to could keep the first 50k with Alsemberg and Bruine Put before going to the circuit. Than 3x this circuit of just over 55k:
-Groeneweg (cobble climb)
- Bekestraat (steep cobble climb from the WC Flandrien circuit)
-Cobbles of the Oliestraat (although maybe the downhill is just to steep to be safe from this side)
-Huldenberg (insignificant bump, but was classified in the WC of Leuven)
-Smeysberg
-passage in Sint-Agatha-Rode
-Wijmingenstraat (steep cobbled climb)
-Moskestraat (even steeper cobble climb)
-Bergstraat (little climb on asfalt)
-Edgard Sohiestraat (steep asfalt climb)
-Vlierbeekberg (steep asfalt climb)
-Terspout (steep asfalt climb)
-Speelberg (via Moerenhoutstraat) (short but steep cobbled climb)
-Hertstraat (cobbled climb)
-Solheide (S-bocht combined with a steep cobbled part afterwards)
-finish


Maybe even more beautifull, start and finish in Leuven. Leuven - 3x times this circuit - back to Leuven - 1 or 2 times the city circuit in Leuven with the Wijnpers, Keizersberg and Sint-Antioniusberg

Like this? https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50341327?privacy_code=698X0QsQmofwCUVDau3u2kaQKfzseZYN

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Ideally to could keep the first 50k with Alsemberg and Bruine Put before going to the circuit. Than 3x this circuit of just over 55k:
-Groeneweg (cobble climb)
- Bekestraat (steep cobble climb from the WC Flandrien circuit)
-Cobbles of the Oliestraat (although maybe the downhill is just to steep to be safe from this side)
-Huldenberg (insignificant bump, but was classified in the WC of Leuven)
-Smeysberg
-passage in Sint-Agatha-Rode
-Wijmingenstraat (steep cobbled climb)
-Moskestraat (even steeper cobble climb)
-Bergstraat (little climb on asfalt)
-Edgard Sohiestraat (steep asfalt climb)
-Vlierbeekberg (steep asfalt climb)
-Terspout (steep asfalt climb)
-Speelberg (via Moerenhoutstraat) (short but steep cobbled climb)
-Hertstraat (cobbled climb)
-Solheide (S-bocht combined with a steep cobbled part afterwards)
-finish


Maybe even more beautifull, start and finish in Leuven. Leuven - 3x times this circuit - back to Leuven - 1 or 2 times the city circuit in Leuven with the Wijnpers, Keizersberg and Sint-Antioniusberg

I still can't believe Alaphilippe made his winning move on Sint Antoniusberg. Not only because it's 300 meters from my door, but also because it's a climb that should be too short and easy for pro riders to get gapped on. When my kids were in kindergarten, I used to climb it with them on the back of my bike. Imho, it doesn't have to be included.

I think Karmelietenberg which runs parallel to Sint-Antoniusberg is harder and longer... And also closer to my door.

They could even include Zwarte Zusterstraat before it, which makes the straight even longer with some gnarly cobbles before the climb.

 

[gavia88]

Like this? https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50341327?privacy_code=698X0QsQmofwCUVDau3u2kaQKfzseZYN

yes, with only the Herstraat from the normal side. Thus, Terhulpensesteenweg downhill and then Herstraat and Waversesteenweg to get back to the S-bocht. I think the roadcross seems big enough to not have issues that halfway the circuit riders get there from the Nijvelsebaan as well. Oh, and Terspout via the Sint Annestraat, that one is even steeper.

 

[Leinster]

I think the loop makes it feel a bit cheap. Also they kinda just made it the Druivenkoers... The route is much easier than it could have been. They changed the starting and finishing cities.

AGR and FW have both always featured loops, and LBL is, essentially, one big loop. Loop races are on-brad for the Ardennes. Embrace the loop.

 

[RedheadDane]

-Groeneweg (cobble climb)

If they include that, I shall be very disappointed if Groeneweg(en) doesn't participate!

 

[Cycling111]

Another route change to make the race worse

50 km less and worse route