Cyclo-cross World Championships: Lucinda Brand soloes to second career elite women’s title on slippery Hulst course

The fortress city of Hulst, on the Dutch-Belgium border, provided a spectacular backdrop with the 3.3-kilometre course containing 150 metres of elevation gain, including steep climbs and descents to test riders’ technical abilities.

There was no defending champion on the start line as 23-year-old Fem Van Empel (Netherlands), winner of the last three rainbow jerseys, put her career on hold earlier this winter.

The orange jerseys of the Netherlands dominated the front row of the starting grid, a sign of their superiority in the elite women’s ranks.

Following back-to-back wins last weekend, Pieterse had the quickest start, ahead of fellow countrywomen Alvarado and Brand. Blanka Kata Vas (Hungary) was aware of the danger of a Dutch sweep and after a quick start slotted herself among the podium positions.

Pieterse was relentless in her early pace resulting in a group of six riders pulling clear of their opponents – including three Dutch women.

Amongst the early medal contention was mountain bike specialist Jolanda Neff (Switzerland), who was aiming for her first Cyclo-cross World Championship medal.

After finishing runner-up at Maasmechelen last weekend, Alvarado came into the event in fine form and maintained a high pace in the second lap.

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado battled to second on Hulst course (Image credit: Shutterstock)

The relentless pace of Pieterse and Alvarado became too much for Neff who was gapped after losing time through a steep running section.

Despite looking on the back foot cyclo-cross World Cup overall winner Brand remained a presence as the front trio started to ride away. The pace of in-form Pieterse eventually told on her rivals as she pulled out several seconds on her rivals.

After sitting back and watching the early exchanges Brand responded by quickly pulling back Pieterse before running clear up a steep bank.

Under pressure the technically-gifted Pieterse crashed heavily on the slick surface at the bottom of a big descent and quickly lost 20 seconds after a bike change. The Dutch youngster fell back to a second group of Vas, Neff and Kristyna Zemanová (Czech Republic), resulting in a tense bronze medal battle.

Meanwhile, at the front Alvarado kept pressure on Brand, with a gap of just six seconds separating the Dutch competitors at the mid-race distance.

Further down the field pre-race podium favourite Sara Casasola (Italy) looked in severe pain as she pulled out.

The dramatic race continued and this time Brand went over the handlebars after losing her front wheel on a steep uphill section, resulting in Alvarado pulling level.

After an impressive season, Amandine Fouquenet (France) also pulled herself into the large group battling for bronze, and was another rider to crash on the slippery surface.

Heading into the penultimate lap Alvarado was putting pressure on her countrywoman Brand as the pair sat 31 seconds ahead of the chasing group.

Tensions were boiling over in the bronze medal group as Marion Norbert-Riberolle (Belgium) and Zemanová crashed into each other following a descent. The Belgian was less than impressed after her opponent’s inside move and pushed her after regaining her feet, resulting in a disqualification.

Brand was in a determined mood and a mistake by Alvarado going into the run-up climb resulted in the Lidl-Trek road rider forcing a small advantage.

Taking the last lap bell Brand had grown her lead to 10 seconds ahead of Alvarado, while the bronze battle remained a close one. The leader’s gap grew to 27 seconds on the final lap as Alvarado had no response to her experienced rival.

An exciting battle for bronze was eventually claimed by Pieterse, after she fought off Vas and Fouquenet in the final stages.