It’s the Arrow in Brabant - the link between the cobbled classic and the Ardennes, and a damn good race.

It might even be enjoyable, given the absence of the big 4 or 5 or however many we’re counting on to attack with 80 km to go in this terrain.

The route, usually, is on narrow hilly roads through the landscape in Wallonie, from Beersel to Overijse. Along the way, the riders will pass a number of sharp short climbs - the bergs and straats - until they reach Overijse and ride three laps and a winner is declared.

It is an open field, this year, with no clear favourite - but according to PCS we should look out for:

• Gregoire
• Schmid
• Del Grosso
• Vermeersch
• Venturini
• Wellens
• Zambanini
• Menten
• Leknessund
• Baudin