Remco Evenepoel revels in 'incredible' sprint victory over rival Wout van Aert at Brabantse Pijl 2025 on return from injury
By Ben Southby
Updated 18/04/2025 at 17:24 GMT+1
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Soudal-QuickStep rider Remco Evenepoel was in electric form on his return from injury to beat Visma-Lease a Bike's Wout van Aert to claim victory in his first race of the season. Brabantse Pijl was the Belgian's first race of the season after sustaining an injury in December, and he was in high spirits on his "incredible" return. "It feels pretty good," he said.
'I thought I was beaten' - Evenepoel on 'incredible' victory over Van Aert
Video credit: TNT Sports
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) defeated Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in a dramatic finish to claim glory at Brabantse Pijl on his return from injury.
The 25-year-old was competing in his first race of the season following a training crash in December.
Evenepoel and Van Aert were in blistering form and finished 27 seconds in front of third-placed Antonio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates).
"It's incredible," Evenepoel said. "I knew in the last days that I was pretty good, but to race from so far away together with Wout, who is in, let's say, growing shape - and being back here on a course that is not 100% mine - it feels pretty good. Then to beat Wout in the sprint, taking the lead in the last two kilometres.
"I thought I was beaten already before we started the sprint, but you always have to sprint. It's been a hard race, and I know my sprint stays the same whether it's an easy race or a hard race, and over the years, I [have] become a bit more explosive. So that's why I trusted my sprint.
"I have to thank my dad for the last two hard training [sessions] behind the scooter. He really pushed me to the limit sometimes, and it paid off - it's so incredible to open the season with a win."
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'He is back!' - Evenepoel seals stunning victory over Van Aert on return from injury
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Belgian duo made their move on the first of three climbs - the Hertstraat - 55km before the finish.
They extended their lead on the Moskesstraat and Holstheide, before Evenepoel toppled his compatriot in a sprint finish.
"Of course, I hoped to win, especially in this situation, going to the line in a sprint," Van Aert said.
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"But I held nothing back. Remco slightly killed me in this final hour of the race. It was already hard to hang on in the last lap, so he really deserves to win," Van Aert said.
"I'm not too disappointed, because he was just so much stronger. I hoped to beat him, but a sprint after a race like this is not the same and apparently I didn't have a good sprint anymore."
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