Marianne Vos took 3rd place in the first edition of the Brabantse Pijl. She finished in Gooik, not far from Brussels, behind winner Marta Bastianelli and Leah Kirchmann in a slightly uphill sprint. WaowDeals Pro Cycling completed a strong race.

The riders took off shortly after noon, for a race of well over 136 kilometres through Pajottenland. The programme anticipated a short loop, a longer lap with climbs and 3 shorter laps with cobbles.

Yara Kastelijn who made a re-entry, was the first of the WaowDeals-team to be positioned in a leading group which included some strong riders. The peloton did not lose a lot of ground against the leaders and they were caught again in due time.

Sometime after Yara was back in the peloton, she was down on her luck. In the final lap of the nervous Brabantse Pijl, she and another 20 riders crashed, causing her to have to drop out of the race with an injury on her pulse.

Marianne in the attack 
The crash did not stop the WaowDeals-team to lift the heavy work at the front. Marianne accelerated shortly after the first of 3 final laps. Seven riders got away, some which had been considered to be amongst the favourites.

Even though the advantage was not very big, the group seemed to be able to maintain it. The escapees only got caught on the final cobbled sector, leading to a bunch sprint. Marianne had already used most of her resources and obtained the 3rd place.

Positive points
“The scenario was ideal with Marianne in the leading group, increasing our chances to victory. It’s a pity, but from the competition’s point-of-view understandable that the group was caught”, says sports director Jeroen Blijlevens who noted many positive points.

“We were in the front group with 3 riders who sprinted for the victory, including Sabrina Stultiens. Her season has only just started and the course, with cobbles, was not tailor-made for her, but she raced perfectly in the lead.”