We’re not even two full months into the spring cycling slate, and the world’s best riders continue to provide unforgettable performances.
After a relaxing Sunday ride through northern France for Paris-Roubaix 2026, the spotlight again will shine on Belgium for the next event on the Flanders Classic schedule, the 2026 edition of De Brabantse Pijl, which will take place April 17.
De Brabantse Pijl long has been considered the race that connects the year’s cobbled classics with the late-spring one-day events known more for their hills and climbing.
The event first was held in 1961, with a women’s version debuting in 2016, though it took until 2022 for the two races to be aligned in both timing and terrain.
On Friday, the 2026 Brabantse Pijl - Women will begin first, getting underway at 5:30 a.m. Eastern, while the 2026 De Brabantse Pijl - Men kicks off at 7:30 a.m. EDT.
Fans in the United States, U.S. territories and Canada can watch all the action live on FloBikes and the FloSports app. Coverage for both races will begin at 9:15 a.m. EDT.
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Traditionally, De Brabantse Pijl was a midweek event leading up to the Amstel Gold Race, but recent changes in leadership, cooperation within the sport, analyzing the logistics for teams and what would provide the best experience for riders and fans, led to some changes.
The race now falls under the Flanders Classics umbrella and was moved to Friday, beginning in 2025.
The hope was to entice the competitors headed to the area for the Amstel Gold Race and the events that follow, giving them another convenient opportunity to race, while strengthening the field for De Brabantse Pijl.
The women’s race Friday, a 125.7-kilometer journey over nearly 20 hills, will start in Lennik, located in Flemish Brabant. The men will begin their 162.5-kilometer trek in Beersel and will have to tackle 21 climbs.
Both races will conclude in Overijse with three local laps of 20 kilometers, each featuring climbs of Hertstraat, Moskesstraat, Holstheide and S-Bocht Overijse.
Neither route is flat, but the climbs also aren’t considered super challenging. However, they’re short, steep and plentiful, which is the essence of De Brabantse Pijl. It’s a great test of versatility, managing energy and preparation for what’s ahead in the coming weeks.
The 2025 edition of the De Brabantse Pijl men’s race was won by Remco Evenepoel, ending with a head-to-head sprint between him and Wout van Aert.
Elisa Longo Borghini won the women’s race in 2025, becoming the first woman to win twice and win in back-to-back years.
Across the first 65 years of action at De Brabantse Pijl, one man has won four times (Belgium’s Edwig Van Hooydonck), three others are three-time winners and four riders have two victories. Belgium has claimed the most titles overall with 39 and is followed by the Netherlands (seven), France and Italy (six), Spain (three) and four countries with one win each.
The short history of the women’s race has seen nine winners in 10 years, with Italy winning four times, including the last three.
Among the men expected to compete this year are three past winners – Tim Wellens (2018), Tom Pidcock (2021) and Benoit Cosnefroy (2024) – and some top contenders – Romain Gregoire, Mauro Schmid and Jhonatan Narvaez.
For the women this year, keep an eye out for 2023 winner Silvia Persico and a handful of others who have collected top-10 finishes there, including Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Femke Gerritse and Alexandra Manly.
See the complete routes and entry lists: Men | Women
History Of De Brabantse Pijl And Its Important Place On Cycling Calendar
De Brabantse Pijl was held for the first time in 1961, and its role as the transition from the cobbles to the hills actually couldn’t be move literal, as the race spans the provinces of Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant in Belgium.
Many of the riders recently accepted the challenge of the cobblestones in one or more of the cobbled classics, including in a pair of Monuments – the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix – but their attention now is turning to what are known historically as the Ardennes Classics in the Belgian Ardennes and southern Limburg in the Netherlands.
The Ardennes Classics, or the Ardennes Triple, are the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with the latter being the fourth of the season’s five Monuments and the last of the Spring Classics.
They’ve traditionally been held within a few days of each other, making it convenient for anyone wanting to compete in – or even win – three top-tier races in one trip.
Only two riders in history have won all three in the same year. Italy’s Davide Rebellin accomplished the feat in 2004, and Belgian Phillipe Gilbert did it in 2011. Four times since, two riders have won two of the three races. Alejandro Valverde of Spain did it in 2015 and 2017, and Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar did it in 2023 and 2025.
This year, for both men and women, the Amstel Gold Race will take place April 19, La Flèche Wallonne will be April 22 and Liège-Bastogne-Liège will bring down the curtain on April 26.
Schedule For 2026 Brabantse Pijl - Women
The women’s race will begin at approximately 5:30 a.m. Eastern and finish around 8:30 a.m. FloBikes coverage will start at 9:15 a.m. EDT.
How To Watch 2026 Brabantse Pijl – Women
The 2026 Brabantse Pijl - Women is streaming on FloBikes and the FloSports app for viewers in the United States, U.S. territories and Canada.
Highlights, replays and breaking news will be available on both platforms.
Schedule For 2026 Brabantse Pijl - Men
The men’s race will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. Eastern and finish around 11 a.m. FloBikes coverage will start at 9:15 a.m. EDT.
How To Watch 2026 Brabantse Pijl - Men
The 2026 De Brabantse Pijl - Men is streaming on FloBikes and the FloSports app for viewers in the United States, U.S. territories and Canada.
Highlights, replays and breaking news will be available on both platforms.
What Are The Races On The Flanders Classics Schedule?
- Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (Men & Women; Saturday, Feb. 28)
- In Flanders Fields (formerly Gent-Wevelgem) (Men & Women; Sunday, March 29)
- Dwars door Vlaanderen (Men & Women; Wednesday, April 1)
- Tour of Flanders (Men & Women; Sunday, April 5)
- Scheldeprijs (Men & Women; Wednesday, April 8)
- Ronde van Limburg (Wednesday, April 15)
- De Brabantse Pijl (Men & Women; Friday, April 17)
- Amstel Gold Race (Sunday, April 19)
- Brussels Cycling Classic (Sunday, June 7)
- Vlaamse Druivenkoers Overijse (Wednesday, Aug. 26)
What Are The Cycling Monuments?
These are the most prestigious one-day races on the annual cycling calendar. Each race features a journey between 240 and 300 kilometers.
These races are challenging and steeped in history and tradition.
- Milan - San Remo
- Tour of Flanders
- Paris-Roubaix
- Liège–Bastogne–Liège
- Giro di Lombardia
FULL RACE: 2025 Brabantse Pijl - Men
Watch the full 2025 Brabantse Pijl men's race.
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FloBikes Archived Footage
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