Bahrain Victorious lines up at De Brabantse Pijl with a young lineup ready to take on one of Belgium’s most unpredictable and technical one-day races. Known for its blend of short, punchy climbs, twisting roads, and relentless rhythm, De Brabantse Pijl serves as the perfect bridge between the cobbled monuments and the Ardennes week.
The 162.6km route from Beersel to Overijse features 22 climbs, including repeated ascents of the Hertstraat (700m at 5%), Moskesstraat (500m at 9.2%), and Holstheide (1km at 5.4%). It’s a course made for explosive riders with tactical awareness and endurance—an ideal battleground for opportunists and late attackers.
At the forefront of our lineup is Edoardo Zambanini, coming into form at just the right time. The Italian climber has shown promise on Ardennes-style terrain this spring, including a strong top-20 finish at Milano–Sanremo.
“It’s my first time racing De Brabantse Pijl, but I’m super motivated and happy to be back after altitude camp in Teide,” said Zambanini. “We had a great training block up there, the weather was perfect and everything went smoothly with the preparation. I’ve felt good in training, and now I’m excited to turn that work that I did with the team into results. I really like this period of the season and the style of racing in the Ardennes. The courses are punchy and demanding, a type of racing that suits me well, and I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can go. I’m confident we can do something nice togheter. We’re ready and motivated to give it our best!”
Backing Zambanini is a young and motivated group of riders. Eržen and Ermakov will be on duty to follow dangerous moves, while Paasschens and Van Mechelen, racing on home soil, will play key roles on the short, explosive climbs. Buratti and Development Team rider Borgo will focus on navigating the key transitions and setting up the team as they enter the decisive final circuits.
“It’s a very young team, but I’m happy to see them all healthy, motivated, and in good shape for this first semi-classic of the Ardennes campaign,” said Roman Kreuziger.
“Our leader will be Edoardo Zambanini, who comes in strong from altitude camp. Mathijs Paasschens had a good return in the Basque Country after injury and is highly motivated racing close to home. Van Mechelen, a first-year pro, had a strong cobbled campaign and is also racing on familiar roads, so we expect a lot from him. We’re also excited to see Zak Eržen, one of the youngest in the peloton, gain experience here. He has the potential to do well in this type of race in the future. Buratti and Ermakov should be able to perform well on this course, and we hope to see them active once the race enters the final circuits. Finally, Alessandro Borgo joins us again from the Development Team. He’s already shown he’s ready for this level, so it’s a great chance for him to gain more experience and contribute.”
The race typically explodes once the riders hit the finishing circuits in Overijse. With tight corners, steep ramps, and little room for error, positioning and timing will be crucial. Bahrain Victorious aims to be aggressive and race from the front. A top-10 finish is the team’s objective, but with smart riding and strong legs, a top-5 result is within reach.
There’s added motivation for the team this year: Sonny Colbrelli, now 2nd Sports Director, memorably won De Brabantse Pijl in 2017. His firsthand experience and tactical insight will be instrumental in helping the team navigate the complexities of the finale.
