As it happened: Benoit Cosnefroy sprints to win De Brabantse Pijl 2024

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of De Brabantse Pijl.

The Brabantse Pijl is a race that bridges between the cobbled and Ardenne Classics as we leave behind the cobbles of Roubaix and Flanders and build towards the hills of the Ardennes, beginning with the Amstel Gold Race this weekend. 

The defending champion, Dorian Godon (Decathlon-AG2R) is here at the race to try and hold onto his title, but the likely role today will be for him and his teammates to work for Benoit Cosnefroy with potential for Andrea Vendrame to also be up there too. 

Other names to watch for are:

Quinten Herman (ADC)
Søren Kragh (ADC)
Francesco Busatto (IWA)
Georg Zimmermann (IWA)
Vincenzo Albanese (ARK)
Ben Hermans (COF)
Marijn van den Berg (EFE)
Michael Matthews (JAY)
Tim Wellens (UAD)
Marc Hirschi (UAD)
Antonio Morgado (UAD)
Andreas Kron (LTD)
Dylan Teuns (IPT)
Joe Blackmore (IPT)
Krists Neilands (IPT)
Corbin Strong (IPT)
Stevie Williams (IPT)
Loic Vliegen (BWB)
Walter Calzoni (Q36)
Zeb Kyffin (TDT)
Sandy Dujardin (TEN)
Tobias Halland Johannesen (UXM)
Alex Kamp (TUD)

A long list, I know. 

Don't forget, we also have the women's Brabantse Pijl going on right now and we have live updates too. To keep up to date with that, make sure you click the link below...

>>> De Brabantse Pijl Women - LIVE 

You may have noticed from the list of contenders that there are a lot of riders who could win from Israel-Premier Tech. However, one may be a stand-out with their form at the moment. 

That is 21-year-old, Joe Blackmore. He has had an amazing start to the season taking the GC at both the Tour du Rwanda, Tour de Taiwan and the recent Circuit des Ardennes as well as 8th place in the Volta NXT Classic. 

Don't be surprised to see the youngster from Sidcup right up in the mix today. 

Just around 10 minutes from the official start of the men's Brabantse Pijl 2024. 

Today the WorldTour teams are using 15 riders from their development squads. The top tier teams are allowed to do that in any race that isn't a WorldTour race. Plenty of young talent to watch for.

Rasmus Pedersen (DAT)
Noe Isidore (DAT)
Victor Hannes (IWA)
Wouter Toussaint (IWA)
Hubert Grygowski (ARK)
Lucas Janssen (ARK)
Vlad Van Mechelen (DFP)
Robbe Dhondt (DFP)
Anze Ravbar (UAD)
Gibbe Staes (UAD)
Joe Blackmore (IPT)
Kiaan Watts (IPT)
Jens Reynders (BWB)
Lucas Jacques (BWB)
Fabian Weiss (TUD)

UAE Team Emirates' neo-pro António Morgado has had an extremely busy start to the season. 

He raced the Down Under Classic and the Tour Down Under then went to his native Portugal for the Figueira Classic and the Volta ao Algarve followed by 10 one-day Classics and semi-Classics, including Flanders and Roubaix. 

And now he's racing here. The 20-year-old is having a very busy year!

The riders have started the short neutral zone. 

195.2km to go

The flag drops and the race begins! 

Several attacks coming out of the peloton but, for now, nothing is sticking. 

It is a beautiful day today in Belgium with glorious sunshine baking down on the riders. The temperature is a pleasant 13 degrees centigrade (56F) with a gentle 7mph wind. 

A gap briefly opened up for five riders but the door was swiftly slammed shut by the bunch. 

180km to go

Over 10km in and no break has formed yet. The average speed isn't rapid, though. It is currently 41.8kph. 

This race is having a quiet start, but the women's race has just explodes with the likes of Elisa Longo-Borghini (Lidl-Trek) and Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) on the move. Follow live updates by clicking the link below...

>>> De Brabantse Pijl Women - LIVE 

Half an hour into the race and it is still all together. 

170km to go

A surprisingly quiet start. 

Intermarche-Wanty have brought an extremely young squad to the race today...

160km to go

No breakaway yet. 

Two teams are appearing at this race for the very first time. 

They are:

TDT-Unibet
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA

150km to go

One hour of racing and no break has formed. 

10km from the first climb of the day, the Chausée d'Alsemberg. 

140km to go

We have a break!

Alan Riou (ARK)
Nicolas Debeaumarche (COF)
Jens Reynders (BWB)
James Whelan (Q36)
Lorrenzo Manzin (TEN)
Anders Johannessen (UXM)

Chase +10":

Jordi Warlop (SOQ)
Tomáš Kopecký (TDT)

Peloton +20"

On the first climb of the day, the Chausée d'Alsemberg.

The break isn't being allowed much gap at all at the moment. Still just +30" between the leaders and the peloton. 

130km to go

As they head to the second climb of the day, the Bruineput, the break still don't have much of a gap. 

Race situation:

Alan Riou (ARK)
Nicolas Debeaumarche (COF)
Jens Reynders (BWB)
James Whelan (Q36)
Lorrenzo Manzin (TEN)
Anders Johannessen (UXM)
Jordi Warlop (SOQ)
Tomáš Kopecký (TDT)

Peloton +1'38"

120km to go

The break has formed and the race is settling down as the go over the second climb of the day, the Bruineput. The next climb has an insane name... Eigenbrakelsesteenweg... Safe to say that is a name that requires a copy and paste! 

Bike change for defending champion, Dorian Godon (DAT). 

110km to go

Over the Eigenbrakelsesteenweg and the break have just over two minutes on the peloton. 

The next climb is the Rue de Nivelles. This is the last climb before the laps begin in around 25km time. 

At the base of the Rue de Nivelles now. 

100km to go

The gap is starting to drop yet again... 

Alan Riou (ARK)
Nicolas Debeaumarche (COF)
Jens Reynders (BWB)
James Whelan (Q36)
Lorrenzo Manzin (TEN)
Anders Johannessen (UXM)
Jordi Warlop (SOQ)
Tomáš Kopecký (TDT)

Peloton +1'40"

Vincenzo Albanese (ARK) gets a bike change. He has had a busy day at the back of the bunch. The Italian puncheur was also at the medical car earlier today too. Arkea-B&B Hotels will be hoping he is okay for the laps as this is absolutely a race he could win. 

90km to go

We're at the halfway mark now with a gap of +1'40" between the break and the peloton. 

Puncture for Kiaan Watts (IPT), a pure sprinter and track rider for the Israeli team. 

80km to go

Onto the Rue François Dubois. Just +1'03" between the break and the peloton. 

With 75km to go and live pictures being shown for the first time, the time gap is being shown at just +47" between the break and the peloton. 

Alpecin-Deceuninck, Tudor and Lotto-DSTNY lead the peloton. 

Onto the first climb on the circuit. The Moskesstraat. The cobbles begin and the attacks come. 

70km to go

The break go over the top of the Moskesstraat as the attacks come in the peloton. Lotto-DSTNY lead over the top for the bunch. 

Alpecin-Deceninck's Søren Kragh and Quinten Hermans pushing the pace at the front as riders drift back from the break. 

It was former Dutch champion, Pascal Eenkhoorn, who led the attacks on the Moskesstraat.

Attack

Søren Kragh (ADC)

He is bridging to the leaders with a rider from TDT-Unibet sat on his wheel. 

That's the breakaway caught. 

Attack

Quinten Hermans (ADC)

Eight riders go with him and that looks like we have a new group form. Soudal-QuickStep and Lotto-DSTNY chasing. 

That new group of nine riders has been dragged back by the peloton and the pace slackens before two more riders try a move. 

Multiple attackers trying to bridge across to the new leaders with Lotto-DSTNY's Alec Segaert trying to join the duo up front. 

60km to go

Leaders:

Antoine Huby (SOQ)
Alec Segaert (LTD)
Andreas Leknessund (UXM)

With more attacks behind.

Onto the S-Bocht in Overijse just before the finish line. The first time across the line with four more to go. 

The three leaders have +10" on the solo chaser from Intermarch-Wanty and +16" on the peloton. 

Alpecin-Deceuninck and EF Education-EasyPost lead the peloton with +18".

Vincenzo Albanese (ARK) abandons. 

Onto the other cobbled climb, the Hertstraat. 

50km to go

UAE Team Emirates also move up and seem to be working for Antonio Morgado. It is a race that suits his attributes as Nils Politt and Tiim Wellens look after him. 

Back onto the Moskesstraat yet again. Leknessund (UXM), Huby (SOQ) and Segaert (LTD) have +25" gap. 

Attack!

Antonio Morgado (UAD)
Tim Wellens (UAD)
Tobias Johannessen (UXM)
Michael Matthews (JAY)
Axel Laurance (ADC)

But they're not getting the gap they want. 

The break of Huby (SOQ), Leknessund (UXM) and Segaert (LTD) are being closed in rapidly by the Matthews (JAY) led group of about 15 riders. 

On the Holstheide with Axel Laurance (ADC) bridging to the break and that drops Segaert (LTD). 

Benoit Cosnesfroy (DAT) trying to bridge but Søren Kragh (ADC) is marking him. 

Leaders:

Søren Kragh (ADC)
Axel Laurance (ADC)
Benoit Cosnefroy (DAT)
Antoine Huby (SOQ)
Andreas Leknessund (UXM)

About +10" back to the chasers. 

40km to go

The two groups now merge just before the S-Bocht climb. 

Søren Kragh (ADC)
Axel Laurance (ADC)
Benoit Cosnefroy (DAT)
Antoine Huby (SOQ)
Andreas Leknessund (UXM)
Antonio Morgado (UAD)
Alec Segaert (LTD)
De Pooter (IWA)
Lawson Craddock (JAY)
Frank Van den Broek (DFP)

Peloton +18"

Mechanical 

Louis Vervaeke (SOQ)

EF Education-EasyPost leading the way with their entire team on the front as Stevia Williams (IPT) lanches across the gap and bridges with ease. 

EF Education-EasyPost have dragged the leaders back with 37km to go. That was a very important to do as it was a very strong group. 

And back onto the Hertstraat yet again. Lotto-DSTNY returns to the front for Andreas Kron. 

Attack!

Nils Politt (UAD)

But he is heavily marked and goes nowhere.

30km to go

Heading back to the Moskesstraat as Alpecin-Deceuninck go back to pacing on the front along with UAE Team Emirates. Antoine Huby (SOQ) has an issue at the back of the group, looks like it's a slow rear puncture.  

On the Moskesstraat with Politt (UAD) leads onto it. 

Attack

Dylan Teuns (IPT)
Tim Wellens (UAD)

Leaders onto the Holstheide:

Tim Wellens (UAD)
Dylan Teuns (IPT)
Marijn van den Berg (EFE)

The have +12" on the Andread Kron (LTD) led peloton. 

The peloton got as close as seven seconds but the sit up and look around. This is a perfect scenario for the leaders. Four more riders now try a move with a few following. 

EF Education-EasyPost went from missing out to being in the driving seat as they mark all the moves behind. Alpecin-Deceuninck back on the front to chase. 

20km to go

The gap is extending as the two Alpecin-Deceuninck riders chasing are struggling. +21" is the gap with one lap to go!

It's down to Bingoal-WB to chase now with a gap of +26" to the leading trio. 

The Hertstraat for the final time and it is Dries Van Gestel (TEN) leads the peloton over the cobbles. Just +19" gap now. 

10km to go

Time for the final ascent of the Moskesstraat as Søren Kragh (ADC) is back working for Quinten Hermans and Axel Laurance. 

Finally, Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale come up en masse for Cosnefroy. +11" up to the break.

Dorian Godon (DAT) hits the front on the cobbles as he tries to drag the break back but Marijn van den Berg (EFE) accelerates up front with Tim Wellens (UAD) following and Dylan Teuns (IPT) just about clinging on. 

Quinten Hermans (ADC) has joined the leading trio after a huge move on the Moskesstraat. 

Michael Matthews (JAY) leading the chase at about +5" now. 

Attack in the chase

Benoit Cosnesfroy (DAT)

A huge acceleration on the Holstheide climb. The penultimate climb. He's made it across with 7km to go. 

Leaders:

Tim Wellens (UAD)
Dylan Teuns (IPT)
Marijn van den Berg (EFE)
Quinten Hermans (ADC)
Benoit Cosnefroy (DAT)
Jefferson Cepeda (CJR)

With more riders chasing across. Joe Blackmore (IPT) about to make the bridge too. 6km to go.

Axel Laurance (ADC) is stuck in no-mans-land now and isn't making the bridge to the leaders with an EF Education-EasyPost rider joining him. 

5km to go

Leaders:

Benoit Cosnefroy (DAT)
Quinten Hermans (ADC)
Tim Wellens (UAD)
Marijn van den Berg (EFE)
Jefferson Cepeda (CJR)
Dylan Teuns (IPT)
Joe Blackmore (IPT)

Chase +12"

4km to go. It looks like, for now, this could be the winning move. Rafferty (EFE) and Gachignard (TEN) are trying to bridge the gap. 

The leaders are working well together and have +17" with 3km to go. 

Attack

Marijn van dern Berg (EFE)

Wellens (UAD) was just sitting on and not working and others started looking around. Van den Berg (EFE) carried on riding and got a gap. This could be the winning move with 2km to go. 

This looks like Marijn van den Berg (EFE) has stolen a march here and is going to take the win as he starts the final climb of the S-Bocht. 

Flamme Rouge

The final kilometre and Van den Berg (EFE) is holding off the chase led by Blackmore (IPT). 

Joe Blackmore (IPT) is doing a brilliant ride for Dylan Teuns (IPT) and Marijn van den Berg (EFE) is caught with 500m to go! 

Benoit Cosnefroy wins De Brabantse Pijl 2024 and retains the title for Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale.

De Brabantse Pijl 2024 top 10:

1. Benoit Cosnefroy (FRA) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale 6:01'03"
2. Dylan Teuns (BEL) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Tim Wellens (BEL) UAE Team Emirates
4. Joe Blackmore (GBR) Israel-Premier Tech
5. Jefferson Cepeda (ECU) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
6. Quinten Hermans (BEL) Alpecin-Deceuninck, all S.T.
7. Marijn van den Berg (NED) EF Education-EasyPost +10"
8. Michael Matthews (AUS) Jayco-AlUla +28"
9. Vito Braet (BEL) Intermarche-Wanty
10. Corbin Strong (NZL) Israel-Premier Tech, all S.T.

Make sure to read our race report about the race for even more detail and quotes from the winner and more by clicking the link below...

>>> Brabantse Pijl: Benoît Cosnefroy turns podium performances into victory in Overijse 

The brings the live updates and the Flemish Classics to a close. Plenty more racing to come in the next few days with the men's and women's Amstel Gold Race on the weekend. Join us for that. Until this, goodbye.