The invention relates to a braided rope for bend-over-sheave applications consisting essentially of n braided primary strands being made of polymeric filaments, which rope has an oblong cross-section with aspect ratio in the range 1.2-4.0. Such a rope shows markedly improved service life performance in cyclic bend-over-sheave applications. The invention also relates to the use of a braided rope according to the invention as a load-bearing member in bend-over-sheave applications; and to a system comprising such a rope and at least one sheave with a groove, the dimensions of which groove are adapted to the rope dimensions.