The 2025 edition of the women’s Brabantse Pijl marked a milestone: for the tenth time, the peloton raced towards the finish line in Overijse. Remarkably, it was Vos who won the very first edition back in 2016.

The now 37-year-old rider had similar ambitions this time. Her teammate Eva van Agt was part of the breakaway during the race, but with 20 kilometers to go, the Dutch rider and her companions were reeled in. Just over ten kilometers from the finish, Longo Borghini attacked from what was left of the bunch. Her lead gradually increased. On the final climb, the Italian seemed to be fading, but Vos’ late charge came just too late.

“The pace was high today”, Vos acknowledged. “There were a lot of attacks throughout the race. Eventually a strong breakaway formed with Eva in it. When they were caught, Elisa showed she had great legs. Heading into the Moskesstraat, we were well-positioned as a team, but unfortunately I couldn’t follow Elisa’s acceleration.”

Vos was quick to put her second place in perspective. “This wasn’t what I came for, but I can appreciate this result. We gave it everything as a team, but the strongest rider won today. It was a bit of a switch after Paris-Roubaix, but I felt good and the form is definitely there”, the former world champion concluded.