In both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, Van Aert narrowly missed the podium. He will soon get another chance, in De Brabantse Pijl this Friday. Team Visma | Lease a Bike has never won the Belgian classic. Van Aert did finish second behind Tom Pidcock in 2021. In the Amstel Gold Race a few days later, the roles were reversed; the Belgian adds the one-day race to his palmares after a photo finish with the Brit. 

On Friday, De Brabantse Pijl is on the program. The classic has only 162 kilometers, but the succession of hills in the finale traditionally makes it a tough race. Van Aert will be making his first appearance since 2021.

“I'm looking forward to being back at the start of De Brabantse Pijl”, Van Aert says. “I didn't ride the race for several years, but because of the calendar change, the race fits into my schedule this year. So it’s an extra opportunity for me to ride a beautiful spring classic.”

“I already came close to victory once in my first and only participation in 2021, so the course suits me”, Van Aert adds. “I feel good, so I definitely hope to be able to play a role in the finale again. With that goal I will be at the start.” 

Two days after De Brabantse Pijl, the Amstel Gold Race will be held. Team Visma | Lease a Bike has fond memories of the biggest cycling race in the Netherlands. Van Aert triumphed in 2021 and in the following editions Benoot finished on the podium twice. 

Benoot is also eagerly looking forward to another important race weekend. “De Brabantse Pijl is an ideal preparation for the Amstel Gold Race. They are two beautiful races where I have managed to achieve a few places of honor in the past. In the Amstel Gold Race, teams usually start racing hard far from the finish line. I hope such a scenario will happen again. Also, the Cauberg gets a more important role in the finale again, which can be advantageous to the attackers. I definitely see chances for a top result with the team, starting with De Brabantse Pijl on Friday.”

“The Amstel Gold Race has a strong field of participants. Where you can still really see De Brabantse Pijl as a classic that runs partly over cobblestones, the Amstel Gold Race is all about climbing. The switch from cobblestones to hilly classics should not be underestimated. That combination is reserved for only a few riders, but if anyone can do it well, it's Wout. He has already proven that in the past”, Maassen refers to Van Aert's performance in 2021. 

The sports director won the Dutch classic himself in 1991. “It's a brilliant race. As a Dutch cycling team we ride in front of the home crowd. Hopefully we’re able to continue the upward trend of the last few weeks. Tiesj was already good in the Ardennes classics last season and has made it a goal this year as well and really lived up to it. Hopefully Ben Tulett can join our two leaders, so that we can show ourselves in the finale.”