Van Hoovels wins Brentjens Challenge and Belgian marathon nationals

The seventh edition of the Bart Brentjens Challenge doubled as the Dutch and Belgian marathon national championships. A total of around 2,500 participants took on a technical track of 105 kilometers with 1700m of climbing. Conditions were difficult due to heavy rains in the days leading up to the race. Kevin van Hoovels and Mirre Stallen won the men's and women's overall races.

A lead group of 15 emerged soon after the start. By about the halfway point, nine men were left at the front.

On the climbs with 30km to go, a group of four racers including Kevin van Hoovels, Bas Peters, Bram Rood and Joris Massaer took over the lead. Jeroen Boelen and Bart Brentjens chased not far behind. Brentjens managed to catch up to Massaer in the last kilometer and finished fourth.

Van Hoovels proved the strongest man after recently also winning the Benelux Championships and the Hondsrug Classic in Gieten. Peters was second while Rood was third.

Van Hoovels also earned the Belgian marathon national title while Peters took the honors for the Netherlands.

In the women's race, Mirre Stallen beat Laura Turpijn for the top spot in the overall race and the Dutch marathon nationals while Nicoletta de Jager was third.  In fourth place, Petra Mermans collected the Belgian marathon national title as the top rider for her nation.

Full Results