Cycling: Mathieu van der Poel (Codendon – Circus) shot the Brabant arrow. In an exciting race, the Dutch champion was able to overtake Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) in the first meeting. They arrived at the destination together with last year's winner Tim Wellens (Lotto – Soudal) and Michael Matthews (Sunweb).
The Brabant Arrow from Leuven to Overijse
The Arrow of Brabant - also known as De Brabantse Pijl or La Flèche Brabançonne - invited the professional cyclists to an event today 196,2 km long exit from Leuven to Overijse. Peppered with 31 climbs the one-day race was again a matter for the strong punchers this year. The second half of the race in particular was tough. The combination of the climbs Hertstraat, Holstheide, Ijskelderlaan, Schavei and Hagaard had to be completed four times. With gradient percentages of up to 12 percent, the hills automatically thinned out the peloton lap after lap. In addition, numerous attacks in the middle of the race caused new breakaway groups to form again and again. Among other things, the Swiss talent presented itself Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) once again very offensive. The team Deceuninck - Quick-Step had a lot to do to make the attacks for captain Julian Alaphilippe to parry.
Van der Poel wins the sprint from the front
After yourself Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) was able to build up a lead of around 20 seconds Julian Alaphilippe The grand finale 18 kilometers from the finish. Riding on his rear wheel Last year's winner Tim Wellens (Lotto – Soudal), Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon – Circus) and Michael Matthews (Sunweb) with forward. It quickly became clear that this group of five could not be brought back and that the victory would be decided among themselves. Behind, the team tried Bahrain – Merida for captain Sonny Colbrelli unsuccessful to reconnect. Despite several attacks, sprinter Michael Matthews could not be distanced. Only Daryl Impey lost contact. The remaining quartet arrived in Overijse together and sprinted for victory. Although Alaphilippe had van der Poel's rear wheel, he couldn't get past. Matthews seemed too tired to fully exploit his sprinter qualities, which should actually be rated higher.
What a finish! 💪
Mathieu van der Poel holds off Alaphilippe, Matthews and Wellens to win a dramatic Brabantse Pijl # BP19 pic.twitter.com/HmNRXYKgqf
- Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 17 April 2019
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