The Brabantse Pijl 2025 is set to kick off on Friday, April 18, marking an exciting transition from the cobbled classics to the hilly races of the cycling season. This year’s event promises an impressive lineup, featuring cycling stars like Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert among the participants in Vlaams-Brabant.
Evenepoel, who is making his much-anticipated return after a serious injury, expressed his readiness for the race. "I feel good and motivated for the Brabantse Pijl," he said in a recent interview. However, he tempered expectations by stating, "But I’m not going there with specific ambitions. The most important thing is to get back into the racing rhythm after a long time away." His return is particularly notable as he suffered a broken wrist and shoulder blade from a training accident in December 2024, which kept him off the bike for several months.
Wout van Aert, competing for Visma | Lease a Bike, will also be a key contender. He enters the race after two fourth-place finishes in the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. Van Aert will be joined by teammate Tiesj Benoot, and the duo is expected to leverage their team’s strength to challenge for victory. Van Aert is optimistic about his chances, especially with some of the top competitors like Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar not participating.
The race will start from Beersel, a change from previous editions, and will finish in Overijse. This update is part of a new agreement between Flanders Classics and the organizers, which extends until 2029. The distance of the race has also been adjusted, now set at 162.2 kilometers, down from last year’s 195 kilometers. The start is scheduled for 13:30, with the finish expected between 17:00 and 17:20.
The updated route will see riders navigate through various climbs, including the newly introduced Beerselberg and the challenging kasseien of the Hertstraat and Holstheide. The course is designed to test the riders’ endurance and climbing skills, making it a fitting challenge for the transition into the hilly classics.
Another strong competitor is Tom Pidcock from Q36.5, who has been preparing for the second part of the classics season. Pidcock aims to maintain his form through upcoming races like Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Giro d'Italia. His absence from racing since Milan-San Remo has allowed him to focus on training, and he is expected to be in top condition for the Brabantse Pijl.
UAE Emirates XRG will bring a formidable team, including Tim Wellens, Jhonatan Narváez, and Florian Vermeersch, all of whom are capable of challenging for the win. Wellens and Narváez have had some unfortunate luck in recent races but have shown they can perform at a high level earlier in the season. Vermeersch, in particular, had a strong showing in Roubaix, making him a key player to watch.
Alpecin-Deceuninck is likely to rely on Quinten Hermans as their lead rider, with Tibor Del Grosso providing additional support. Del Grosso has impressed in the cyclocross season and looks to carry that momentum into the road races. Other notable contenders include Dylan Teuns from Cofidis, who finished second last year, and Marijn van den Berg from EF Education-EasyPost.
With the weather forecast predicting temperatures around 11 to 12 degrees Celsius and the possibility of rain, the conditions could add an extra layer of difficulty to the race. Riders will need to adapt quickly to the wet roads and challenging climbs.
The Brabantse Pijl is set to be broadcast live on Sporza, with coverage starting at 15:00, as well as on Eurosport and HBO Max. Fans can expect a thrilling race as these top cyclists battle it out on the roads of Vlaams-Brabant.
As the race approaches, the excitement is palpable, and the cycling community eagerly awaits to see how Evenepoel, Van Aert, and Pidcock will perform against each other. Will Evenepoel make a triumphant return? Can Van Aert capitalize on his team’s strength? Or will Pidcock’s preparation pay off? The Brabantse Pijl 2025 promises to deliver an exhilarating spectacle for cycling fans worldwide.
