The race will take place over a hilly course that will provide the attackers with plenty of opportunities.
The Classics are back in just a few days with Brabantse Pijl as the first appointment of what’s going to be a busy two weeks that will culminate with Liège–Bastogne–Liège. The Belgian race, which takes place between Leuven and Overijse, was won by our team on three occasions, most recently last year, when newly-crowned World Champion Julian Alaphilippe emerged victorious from a three-man group.
The Frenchman won’t be at the start this Wednesday, but Deceuninck – Quick-Step won’t lack options for the 201.7km race that will take in 27 short and punchy climbs, the last of which is set to be crested inside the final 500 meters. Mattia Cattaneo, Rémi Cavagna, Ian Garrison, Mikkel Honoré – who just a couple of days ago claimed his first World Tour win at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco – Yves Lampaert, Florian Sénéchal and Pieter Serry are slated to be in action for the Wolfpack at the 61st edition of the Belgian Classic.
“Brabantse Pijl is the kind of race where we need to be focused from the start, because a lot of things can happen early. We expect a full gas race and many attacks, especially on the local laps, which will be harder than in the past. We have several cards to play and we won’t hide the fact that we’d like to get a good result, so we head to the start with confidence”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Klaas Lodewyck.
