Brabantse Pijl: October 7th, 2020

[Pantani_lives]

We're not entirely recovered from the Ardennes, but it's already time to move up a little to the north. Writing a preview poses a little bit of a problem, because there's no official profile. According to Touretappe.nl the exact course of the Flèche brabançonne is secret this year, because the organizers want to discourage cycling fans from showing up along the road during the Covid-19 pandemic. So we'll have to do it with the description on the official website.

The men's race will be 184 km long and contain 26 climbs. Like last year it starts in Leuven. In the middle of the race there's an extra local lap around Beersel with three climbs: Bruine Put, Menisberg and Lotsestraat. The final laps in Overijse contain one change compared to last year: the IJskelderlaan is replaced by the Moskesstraat. So the local laps will follow the succession Hagaard-Hertstraat-Holstheide-Moskesstraat-Schavei. The top of the Schavei is 200 m before the finish. Last year this race was a breakthrough win on the road for Mathieu van der Poel. He will again be a big favourite.

Recent winners:
2010 Sébastien Rosseler
2011 Philippe Gilbert
2012 Thomas Voeckler
2013 Peter Sagan
2014 Philippe Gilbert
2015 Ben Hermans
2016 Petr Vakoč
2017 Sonny Colbrelli
2018 Tim Wellens
2019 Mathieu van der Poel

The women's race will be 122 km long and contain 20 climbs. It starts in Lennik and finishes with the same local laps in Overijse. Last year Sofie de Vuyst became the first Belgian winner, but she will be absent this year.

Past winners:
2016 Marianne Vos
2017 Annette Edmondson
2018 Marta Bastianelli
2019 Sofie de Vuyst

Let's hope for another exciting day of cycling!

 

[tobydawq]

I still think Sagan's win here in 2013 was some of his very finest work. Jesus Christ he was strong that day. Every time I see it I get more blown away.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UIbJTQkmdM&ab_channel=CycloManiac


Very good start list for this year's race. Unmissable.

 

[Pantani_lives]

A few obvious favourites and lots of interesting outsiders:

Men:
****Van der Poel, Alaphilippe
***Kwiatkowski, Wellens, Colbrelli
**Trentin, Cosnefroy, Kämna, Stybar
*Bardet, Barguil, Teuns, Theuns, Gasparotto, Geschke, Vakoc, Vansevenant

Women:
***Bastianelli, Van Dijk, Rivera
**Kopecky, Vandenbulcke, Borghesi
* Lippert, Mackaij, Leth

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Alaphilippe vs VdPoel like last year again is likely.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

According to Touretappe.nl the exact course of the Flèche brabançonne is secret this year,

Has that ever happened before? Will the teams be told the positioning of climbs at any stage?

Big advantage for local teams/riders if not.

 

[Pantani_lives]

I still think Sagan's win here in 2013 was some of his very finest work. Jesus Christ he was strong that day. Every time I see it I get more blown away.

Impressive how he had to do everything by himself in those final kilometers and still finished it off.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Has that ever happened before? Will the teams be told the positioning of climbs at any stage?

Big advantage for local teams/riders if not.

It's a bit confusing. It's not really secret, because there's a course description in words, there's just no official profile. I guess the teams will be sufficiently briefed.

 

[tobydawq]

Impressive how he had to do everything by himself in those final kilometers and still finished it off.

Against Gilbert and Van Avermaet, no less. Not exactly continental level riders.

 

[cellardoor]

Should be an easy win for Vansevenant. Calling Alaphilippe the leader is an obvious decoy tactic.

 

[BlueRoads]

A few obvious favourites and lots of interesting outsiders:

Men:
****Van der Poel, Alaphilippe
***Kwiatkowski, Wellens, Colbrelli
**Trentin, Cosnefroy, Kämna, Stybar
*Bardet, Barguil, Teuns, Theuns, Gasparotto, Geschke, Vakoc, Vansevenant

Women:
***Bastianelli, Van Dijk, Rivera
**Kopecky, Vandenbulcke, Borghesi
* Lippert, Mackaij, Leth

I don't know how the weather will be, but even if it's raining I don't really regard Wellens as a favourite for the win. This does not seem to be his season. I also think it's van der Poel vs. Alaphilippe, with Kwiatkowski, Cosnefroy, Kämna as outside bets. Wout Poels, if he's recovered? Would be fun if Bardet or Vansevenant took it. Stybar only if the DQS tactics make it work.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

 

[Jagartrott]

I like the 'hills' icon for 50 m high bumps in the landscape.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Liane Lippert to avenge the result she lost when the moto took her out!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Sunweb is featuring Van Wilder and Arensman as leaders according to cyclismactu. Both 20 years old.

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PS: Only a matter of time before Bora come to snatch Arensman.

 

[Oliver]

I don't know how the weather will be, but even if it's raining I don't really regard Wellens as a favourite for the win. This does not seem to be his season. I also think it's van der Poel vs. Alaphilippe, with Kwiatkowski, Cosnefroy, Kämna as outside bets. Wout Poels, if he's recovered? Would be fun if Bardet or Vansevenant took it. Stybar only if the DQS tactics make it work.

No rain, 4 bf windy from Ouest and max 14 degrees.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Higher class field than a current GT, wicked!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I don't know how the weather will be, but even if it's raining I don't really regard Wellens as a favourite for the win. This does not seem to be his season. I also think it's van der Poel vs. Alaphilippe, with Kwiatkowski, Cosnefroy, Kämna as outside bets. Wout Poels, if he's recovered? Would be fun if Bardet or Vansevenant took it. Stybar only if the DQS tactics make it work.

Vansevenant has like 0.1% chance of winning. I was pleasently surprised by his showing last week but it's a bit crazy people are considering him for the win, even Wielerflits is giving him a mention. If not Alaphilippe, then Bagioli and Stybar are the far more likely candidates for DQT.

 

[WKA311]

Strong race by Grace Brown. Holding off the Sunweb duo and putting time into everyboday. Sunweb messed it up when they weren't sending one of Lippert or Mackaij with her.

 

[BlueRoads]

Vansevenant has like 0.1% chance of winning. I was pleasently surprised by his showing last week but it's a bit crazy people are considering him for the win, even Wielerflits is giving him a mention. If not Alaphilippe, then Bagioli and Stybar are the far more likely candidates for DQT.

I'm not really considering him for the win, apart from the extraordinary thing that can always happen. Neither am I considering Bardet after his concussion. But it would be a fun surprise.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Strong race by Grace Brown. Holding off the Sunweb duo and putting time into everyboday. Sunweb messed it up when they weren't sending one of Lippert or Mackaij with her.

At least Liane can take a share of the blame this year rather than being screwed completely!!!

 

[yaco]

Thought Brown should have won LBL, except for Mitchelton's team tactics on the conspired against herself - Pleasing to see she backed up her good form.

 

[RedheadDane]

Can anyone explain to me why Eurosport isn't showing the men's race?

 

[BlueRoads]

Can anyone explain to me why Eurosport isn't showing the men's race?

Don't know about TV, but player from 15.30 on?
Otherwise: French Open, I guess.

 

[Leinster]

Can anyone explain to me why Eurosport isn't showing the men's race?

Because Brabantse Pijl <<<<< 1 stage of the Giro.

Are they not showing it at all, or will there be coverage of the finish after the stage?

 

[wheresmybrakes]

It's on Eurosport after the Giro. Not sure how much will be left to watch live.