This Wednesday, the Brabantse Pijl means the start of a two-week period including four hilly Classics. Lotto Dstny has several trump cards and wants to build on the cobbled Classics momentum.

The team brings a mix of Classics’ riders, allrounders and climbers at the start. Both Arnaud De Lie and Florian Vermeersch have Paris-Roubaix in the legs but continue for one more race day before taking a short break. Also Jarrad Drizners, Dutch champion Pascal Eenkhoorn, Mathijs Paasschens, Arjen Livyns and Andreas Kron are at the start. “We have several leaders in our team for tomorrow”, says sports director Mario Aerts. “Arnaud De Lie should be able to handle the short climbs, we only need to see how his first Paris-Roubaix will have an impact on his legs.”

“Of course, with the Brabantse Pijl a new type of rider enters the game”, realizes the sports director. “a lot depends on how the race will unfold but we think Arnaud can ride the final. We won’t speak out about a result because he still has a lot to learn, also in this race. Apart from Arnaud, Andreas Kron has shown to be in good form the past races. And also Pascal Eenkhoorn proved to be in fine shape. We target a nice result but the race itself will make clear who will be our card in the final.”

Maxim Van Gils is not racing this Wednesday. The rider has suffered from illness and the Brabantse Pijl is still too early. The 23-year-old is expected to race Amstel Gold Race on Sunday.

Image: Brecht Steenhouwer.