Moolman-Pasio takes strong fourth in Brabantse Pijl

The South African finished just shy of the podium after a relentless day of climbing.

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio took her best ever result in eight Brabantse Pijl participations Friday afternoon, sprinting from a select group to fourth place in Overijse, where the 12th edition of the Belgian one-day race came to a conclusion.

Our team rode superbly, remaining prominent throughout the race and protecting Ashleigh - AG Insurance - Soudal’s designated leader here - as the peloton gradually thinned out with each climb. On the final lap, two riders were in the lead, and appeared poised to fight for victory, but a solid effort from the bunch brought them back on the early slopes of the last hill, the S-Bocht Overijse (1.3km, 3.7%).

The group, numbering around two dozen riders, then entered the finishing straight, and Ashleigh produced an impressive acceleration in the closing 200 meters of the race to secure fourth place, a result that bodes well ahead of one of her favourite events, Amstel Gold Race.

“Today I felt really good. The team was amazing, we worked really well together, we made sure of being in a good position ahead of all the key points on the course, and I’m just proud of all my teammates. When we entered the local lap, I felt incredibly calm – like never before in my entire career - knowing that the team was behind me and the legs were good, so I was quite confident in my chances. Maybe I should have attacked earlier instead of waiting for the sprint, considering how strong I was, but I’m still happy to be at this level just in time for my last Ardennes block. Now I’m really looking forward to Sunday”, Ashleigh said after scoring her third top ten of the season.