Evenepoel returns with victory in the Brabantse Pijl and worsens Wout Van Aert's crisis

Remco Evenepoel did not want to be outdone by his rivals in the Tour de France and also made his debut this season by winning the Brabantse Pijl ahead of Wout van Aert, who, despite having everything in his favor again, could not surpass the Soudal-QuickStep rider.

Remco Evenepoel reappears after his winter accident with victory in the Brabantse Pijl

Remco Evenepoel proved the predictions right and, in the process, dispelled any doubts about his recovery after the serious injury he suffered in the accident this winter while training, which delayed his return until this late part of spring.

A race that unfolded calmly with an initial breakaway of 6 cyclists without relevant names. However, as is usual in this race, the action did not heat up until the final circuit around Overikse.

RECOMENDADO

Van der Poel returns to XCO on May 18th

What benefits does bicarbonate have for cyclists?

The Amstel Gold Race arrives this Sunday with Pogacar, Evenepoel, and Pidcock

The Orbea FOX climbed onto the podium at the XCO World Cup and here they tell everything that happened behind the scenes

New Colnago V5Rs: Pogacar's secret weapon for the Tour

What Pogacar took for cramps in Roubaix

After a first lap with multiple attacks controlled firmly by Visma-Lease a Bike, in the second lap, at the cobblestone wall of Moskestraat, the yellow team increased the pace for Wout van Aert's attack, who quickly opened a small gap. Remco Evenepoel did not respond immediately, gradually increasing his pace to catch up with Van Aert after the climb with several riders in tow.

Without much rest, they continued the ascent to Holstheide where this time it was Remco who accelerated with a violent change of pace. Wout van Aert did not shy away from the situation and continued, managing to open a gap. Only the Israel-PremierTech rider Joseph Blackmore managed to join them, and the three of them began to consolidate a breakaway that would ultimately be decisive.

As they passed the kilometers, it became clear that Wout and Remco would battle for victory on the final ascent to Overijse, a situation that, in the past, would have been 90% favorable to Visma-Lease a Bike.

Remco led from the start of this final climb, just before the banner of the last kilometer, and with full confidence, he launched the sprint 200 meters from the finish line. Similar to what happened in the E3 Saxo Classic, a far cry from his best version, Wout van Aert was unable to even come close, let alone overtake, being surpassed by a Remco Evenepoel who lays the foundation for his path to the Tour de France.

Brabantse Pijl Classification

1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) 3h35'14''
2. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) +00''
3. Antonio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +27''
4. Alex Aranburu (Cofidis) +27''
5. Eduard Prades (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) +27''
6. Fabio Christen (Q36.5) +27''
7. Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) +27''
8. Guillermo Thomas Silva (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) +27''
9. Milan Menten (Lotto) +27''
10. Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +27''