Soudal - Quick-Step expected to continue to sink without a clear leader at Brabantse Pijl

While Brabantse Pijl is not the biggest race by name, it's certainly a very well recognised and widely respected one as it enters its 64th edition this year. The significance of Brabantse Pijl is in its position in calendar where it serves as a transition from Flemish cobbles to Ardennes' hills.

When speaking of transitions, Soudal - Quick-Step would love to move on after terrible cobbled campaign and find some salvation in Ardennes. Yet the Belgian team's lineup doesn't radiate much optimism as the 30-year-old Louis Vervaeke is probably the biggest name on the list. And with Remco Evenepoel out of action, there's not much hope for upcoming races either.

"The race is hard and should be decided on the hills around Overijse. We have a nice mix of young and experienced riders, who like this kind of course, up-and-down the entire day. Louis will be our captain; he is in good form, as shown by his top-three on the second stage of Itzulia, knows how to race for a good result and can be up there. The confidence is there and we hope for a strong outing on Wednesday," said sports director Dries Devenyns.

Soudal - Quick-Step lineup for Brabantse Pijl:
Gil Gelders, Antoine Huby, Pepijn Reinderink, Ayco Bastiaens, Pieter Serry, Louis Vervaeke and Jordi Warlop