The wall and cobblestone classics are over and here come the Ardennes. The calendar opens Friday, April 17th with the 66th Arrow of Brabant (Brabantse Pijl), which in 2026 confirms a proven formula: a nervous route, rich in short and repeated climbs, ideal for explosive and resilient riders. Starting from Beersel and finishing in Overijse, 163 kilometers: we are in the area south of Brussels, the route winds through Flemish and Walloon Brabant, touching localities such as Halle, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw and Lennik.

The men's race, substantially unchanged from last year's edition, features 21 short climbs, while the women's race has 19 over 126 kilometers. In the first part, riders already face seven climbs, useful for putting fatigue in the legs, but it is in the final circuit that the race truly comes alive. At Overijse, three laps of approximately 20 kilometers each begin, characterized by four climbs: in order, Hertstraat, Moskesstraat, Holstheide and the finish at S-Bocht Overijse. This is the heart of the race: the repetition of efforts, combined with the difficulty of recovery, favors progressive attacks and long-range moves. The men's route includes ten different climbs, to be tackled multiple times for a total of 21 times. The most significant: Alsemberg (1500 m at 3.9%); Bruinepot (1200 m at 5.7%); Beerselberg (500 m at 7.9%); Braine-l'Alleud (900 m at 4.9%); Chemin dit le Bois (1400 m at 3.6%); Rue François Dubois (900 m at 4.1%); Hertstraat (700 m at 4.7%); Moskesstraat (500 m at 9.2%); Holstheide (1000 m at 5.3%); S-Bocht Overijse (1300 m at 4.2%), where the finish line is.

In the final 11 kilometers, riders face Moskesstraat, short but steep with cobblestone sections, ideal for explosive attacks, Hertstraat (at – 8 km) and the S-Bocht, which ends just 200 meters from the finish line. In 2025, on the first passage through Moskesstraat, Visma-Lease a Bike had forced the pace, preparing Van Aert's attack. The race then transformed into a direct confrontation with the other Fleming Remco Evenepoel: in the final circuit, the two engaged in a high-intensity duel and Remco dropped Van Aert before the S-Bocht to triumph. At the start this year there will be 132 riders from 19 teams: favorite Tom Pidcock, against Del Grosso, Gregoire, Madouas, Schmid, Teuns, Wellens. Among the Italians, there are Baroncini, the national champion Conca, Oldani, De Pretto, Battistella, Frigo. Italy has won the Arrow of Brabant six times, the last time with Sonny Colbrelli in 2017.

In the women's field, on the other hand, we have been winning since 2023 with Persico and twice with Longo Borghini, plus Bastianelli in 2018. Friday's race will be the 11th edition: the favorite is Lotte Kopecky, winner of the Sanremo. Also present are the world champion Vallieres, Koch (first at the Roubaix), Van der Breggen and Silvia Persico.