La Flèche Brabançonne
De Brabantse Pijl, also known as La Flèche Brabançonne, is a semi-classic professional cycling race held in the Flemish and Walloon Brabant regions, southwest of Brussels. Historically starting and finishing in Alsemberg, the race start moved to Zaventem in 2004, shifting the course to explore areas southeast of Brussels. This change introduced riders to a variety of local climbs, including the Alsemberg (Kerkenberg), Bruine Put, and Lindenberg, culminating in a challenging finish on the Alsemberg. In 2007, the race's organizers signed an agreement with the city of Leuven to start the semi-classic there for the next five years, altering the route south towards Itter, passing Halle and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, and including local rounds featuring the notorious climbs of Alsemberg and Bruine Put, as well as Moskesstraat.
History of La Flèche Brabançonne
The Brabantse Pijl used to take place on the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders as part of the opening weekend of the Flemish Cycling Week but moved to the Wednesday before the Amstel Gold Race in 2010, thereby marking the beginning of the hill classics season. Since then, it has been a part of the Flanders Classics, and the finish line has been relocated from Alsemberg to Overijse. In Overijse, the race features several local laps with climbs such as the IJskelderlaan and the Hagaard, with the race concluding shortly after the Schavei climb. This move to Overijse and incorporation into the Flanders Classics was instrumental in reshaping the race. Furthermore, in 2018, a women's edition of the Brabantse Pijl was introduced, continuing the legacy of the Pajot Hills Classic, with the course initially starting and finishing in Gooik and including the Bosberg and Congoberg. Since 2020, the women's race, like the men's, finishes in Overijse.
Most recent winners of La Flèche Brabançonne
2023: Dorian Godon (France)
2022: Magnus Sheffield (United States)
2021: Tom Pidcock (United Kingdom)
2020: Julian Alaphilippe (France)
2019: Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands)
2018: Tim Wellens (Belgium)
2017: Sonny Colbrelli (Italy)
2016: Petr Vakoč (Czech Republic)
2015: Ben Hermans (Belgium)
2022: Magnus Sheffield (United States)
2021: Tom Pidcock (United Kingdom)
2020: Julian Alaphilippe (France)
2019: Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands)
2018: Tim Wellens (Belgium)
2017: Sonny Colbrelli (Italy)
2016: Petr Vakoč (Czech Republic)
2015: Ben Hermans (Belgium)
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024