"It was a bit stupid not to go for the sprint" - Marijn van den Berg rues wasted opportunity at Brabantse Pijl
Cycling
After winning the Région Pays de la Loire Tour last week, it was evident that Marijn van den Berg was in great form. However, few would've expected the sprinter to be outright attacking on the cobbled climbs of the Brabantse Pijl... But he was carried away with a late attack that ruined his chances of competing in a sprint for the win.
With just over 30 kilometers to go, the EF Education-EasyPost rider did a tremendous effort to follow Tim Wellens and Dylan Teuns up the Moskesstraat. In the final time up the steep cobbled climb, he was the one pushing the pace and putting Teuns into difficulty. A few riders joined the front group in the final kilometers, but after a gap opened up with 3 kilometers to go, he tried to take advantage of possible misunderstandings in the chasing group.
“They left a hole and at first I thought I had good legs, but then I exploded," he explained. A tactical choice that cost him a possible podium. He tried his luck with a move that at times succeeds, but the work of Israel - Premier Tech in the final climb saw him get caught with the line not far off. "It was a bit stupid not to go for the sprint. I am a bit disappointed. The biggest chance was probably betting on my sprint. I don't know, it was a bit stupid of me."
Nevertheless, van den Berg's signs today were great and will certainly earn him a leadership position for Amstel Gold Race this Sunday. With home crowds on his back and great form, he can certainly be a dangerous outsider for the win. “I feel good at the moment. I think I can show beautiful things. Next Sunday I hope I can do a little better than this," he concluded.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- how else is there to look at things? we are responding to words and pictures, we are not there. your long winded replies make zero sense to anyone. pretty much everyone but you says the same thing. MS was robbed. somehow you think you're so smart to dig beneath the surface and discover something no one else, including the opposing coach and cyclist, saw. lol. you are a tool.mij09-11-2026
- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
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Heartbreak for Marijn 💔💔💔 Our dutchman came close to coming to a flying finish at De Brabantse Pijl but got caught with 500m to go. Proud of the way this squad rode today.
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