De Brabantse Pijl: April 14th 2021

[BlueRoads]

Discuss!

I don't have a profile, so if you do please post it. Did they change anything? Is it a secret due to Covid?
And can somebody please insert a picture of that look on Ala's face last year when he sees van der Poel coming through under his arm?

Slightly disappointing start list, if you ask me, but still some nice contenders, like van Aert, who makes his debut, van Avermaet, Jasper Stuyven, Trentin and Cosnefroy. AG2R with the best roster here, in my opinion, but can they beat van Aert? Bahrain also has a few good guys at the start. Well, see for yourself, here's the full startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/brabantse-pijl/2021/result/startlist

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Two big changes compared to last year: the Moskesstraat has been mutilated to the point where it really doesn't qualify as cobbled anymore, and the Schavei is out due to road works. They climb the more gradual main road through the S-curve instead.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1378418559131484165

Map

Profile

Key climbs
Hagaard

Hertstraat

Moskesstraat

Holstheide

S-Bocht Overijse (finish)

 

[Gigs_98]

Two big changes compared to last year: the Moskesstraat has been mutilated to the point where it really doesn't qualify as cobbled anymore, and the Schavei is out due to road works. They climb the more gradual main road through the S-curve instead.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1378418559131484165

More importantly btw, that abomination of a cobbles road was renovated for the WC RR this year.
Great job, the cycling world will be super thankful.

 

[RedheadDane]

What did they do? Sand it over with (a lot of) sandpaper?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Tarmac it and then put this linoleum over it

 

[OlavEH]

Suprisingly few of the top names on the startlist. No Alaphillipe, Hirschi, Woods, Fuglsang, Schachmann or Slovenians (guess most of there are out due to competing in Pais Vasco). Big chance for Van Aert here. Colbrelli, Matthews, Trentin, Teuns and Van Avermaet the most important challengers to Van Aert.

 

[Billie]

This lap is quite a lot easier than in past years. The S climb on the big road is to easy for pros. Will be much more of a group sprint.

They could have added the Hertstraat cobbled descent and climb to make it hard but maybe not so bad they didn't cause someone might have to idea to redo those cobbles aswel

 

[RedheadDane]

Suprisingly few of the top names on the startlist. No Alaphillipe, Hirschi, Woods, Fuglsang, Schachmann or Slovenians (guess most of there are out due to competing in Pais Vasco). Big chance for Van Aert here. Colbrelli, Matthews, Trentin, Teuns and Van Avermaet the most important challengers to Van Aert.

No Slovenians? What the hell are you calling Matej Mohoric, and Luka Mezgec then?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Tarmac it and then put this linoleum over it

Quick-Step flooring?

 

[BlueRoads]

Tarmac it and then put this linoleum over it

Quickstep heavily sponsoring the race?

 

[BlueRoads]

Quick-Step flooring?

Ah, you beat me!

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Ah, you beat me!

I'll deny it, I'll say you slipped on the stairs.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If Quick Step do not manufacture this or something similar, then they are simply idiots. Licence to print money.

Now that I know this exists, I am totally thinking about at some point in future bedecking some stairs in it, so that my house has a cobbled climb.

 

[johnymax]

Colbrelli should do well here. He is my favourite.

Van Aert should do well here. He is my favourite.

GVA should do well here. He is my favourite.

Laporte should do well here. He is my favourite.

Pidcock should do well here. He is my favourite.

I like this race. One of my favourites.

 

[tobydawq]

Anthony Turgis will win this bike race.

 

[johnymax]

Anthony Turgis will win this bike race.

He is also my favourite.

 

[RedheadDane]

Annemiek Van Vleuten will win this bike race!
Yeah, I'm just assuming that this thread is of course obviously also for the ladies!

 

[Orbit501]

Cosnefrey didn't look good in the Basque Country. DNS on stage 5 too.

Can't see him making the podium again here this year.

Very interested to see how Paret - Pientre goes though.

Surely all in for GVA though anyhow.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Colbrelli should do well here. He is my favourite.

Van Aert should do well here. He is my favourite.

GVA should do well here. He is my favourite.

Laporte should do well here. He is my favourite.

Pidcock should do well here. He is my favourite.

I like this race. One of my favourites.

You may have to ask BlueRoads whether or not you're allowed to cheer for all of them.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Annemiek Van Vleuten will win this bike race!
Yeah, I'm just assuming that this thread is of course obviously also for the ladies!

I was surprised to see her name on the startlist, considering she hasn't rode it before and that many other big names won't be present.
SD Worx may still be the strongest team, so if they play their cards right AvV could end up in trouble. But she is definitely the clear favourite.

 

[Blanco]

Suprisingly few of the top names on the startlist. No Alaphillipe, Hirschi, Woods, Fuglsang, Schachmann or Slovenians (guess most of there are out due to competing in Pais Vasco). Big chance for Van Aert here. Colbrelli, Matthews, Trentin, Teuns and Van Avermaet the most important challengers to Van Aert.

And why Alaphilippe isn't racing? I mean after Tirreno he only had three days of racing, it's nearly a month since then. Certainly not ideal preparation for Ardennes...

 

[Pantani_lives]

Moskesstraat was a great addition last year, but the new, flattened stones make it much easier. That's a pity for the WCh as well. I wonder why Wellens doesn't start in the only classic he can win.

****Van Aert
***Matthews, Colbrelli, Van Avermaet
**Stuyven, Trentin, Politt, Pidcock
**Jungels, Coquard, Vanmarcke, Lampaert

 

[Velolover2]

Moskesstraat isn't a protected monument like most of the cobbled climbs?

They have mutilated the road.

 

[Sciatic]

Moskesstraat isn't a protected monument like most of the cobbled climbs?

They have mutilated the road.

Did they go out there with a stone grinder and grind until the tops are all smooth and even? Or did they replace them with new cobbles? Or maybe it is a linoleum covering as suggested above.

 

[Zoophonic]

Van Vleuten should win it - I cant see any of her rivals touching her in the race