The Ecuadorian presence Richard Carapaz (EF Education), Olympic road championbe, in the absence of great “classicists”one of the incentives to 64th edition of the Brabanzona Arrow which will take place this Wednesday between Leuven and Overijse, with a distance of 195.2 kilometers.
A transfer test between Flemish cobblestones and slopes that characterize the classics of the Ardenneswhich is already outstanding at Amstel Gold Race next Sunday, when the weather “monster” returns, Mathieu Van der Poel after prevailing on Flanders and Roubaix.
The defending champion is the Frenchman Dorian Gordon (Decathlon), winner in 2023, but in the field of favorites the most powerful team is the UAE, which will present the German Nils Polittthird in Flanders and fourth in Roubaix, the Swiss Marc Hirschi and the Portuguese Antonio Morgado.
Richard CarapazOlympic road champion, returned to compete after retiring in Tirreno Adriaticoand Amstel will train as a reference for a squad that includes the Alavés youth team Markel Belokiof 18 years.
Alpecin Deceuninck, in the absence of its numbers Van der Poel and Philipsen, will have the Belgian Quinten Hermansstage winner in Itzulia, and the Australian Kaden Groves. Other candidates could be the French Warren Barguil (DSM) or the “aussie” Michael Matthews (Jayco), second in Milan San Remo
For this test the only Spanish team is Caja Ruralwhich he will form with Julen Arriola, Fernando Barceló, Jefferson Cepeda, Samuel Fernández, Calum Johnston, Eduard Prades and David González.
He the route is almost identical to the 2023 route, with a first section of 120 furrow kilometers including 4 levels. The second fragment will take place on a 19.8 kilometer circuit that needs to be completed in 4 laps to complete the 197 kilometers.
The circuit will climb up the Hertstraat, Moskesstraat, Holstheide and S-Bocht Overijse, leading to the finish line. Total 21 levels and 8 cobbled sectors.
Longo Borghini and Vollering, favorites in the women’s event
The woman’s test It will be held between Lennik and Overijse with a route of 134.9 km. The list of registered players is important, with big names like the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl), winner of the Tour of Flanders, Demi Vollering (SD Worx), Silvia Persico (UAE), defending champion, and Alison Jackson (EF Education).
He Movistar goes to Flecha Brabanzona with a sextet composed of Paula Patiño, Sara Martín, Olivia Baril, Mareille Meijering, Jelena Eric and Floortje Mackaij. There will also be Spanish representation at Jayco with five-time Spanish champion Mavi García.
Regarding traveling in recent years, the final circuit of Overijse removes the Hagaard elevation and keeps the other fourtwo with cobblestones, Hertstraat (700 meters at 4%) and Moskesstraat (500 m at 7.5).
The climbs are that of Holstheide (1 km at 5%) and the finish climb, known as the ‘S-curve’ (S-bocht), due to its striking layout from the air, and which includes the 1,300 m at 4% , before easing towards the finish line.
Brabanzona Arrow Awards
Latest winners
Men’s category
2023. Dorian Godon (FRA)
2022. Magnus Sheffield (USA)
2021. Thomas Pidcock (GBR)
2020. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
2019. Mathieu Van der Poel (PSB)
Women’s category
2023. Silvia Persico (ITA)
2022. Demi Vollering (PSB)
2021. Ruth Edwards (USA)
2020. Grace Brown (AUS)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
