Brand shouldn’t expect a sweet Sara after her jab at Casasola: "I should command a bit more respect"
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleSara Casasola is undoubtedly the revelation of this cyclo-cross season. Since her move to Crelan-Corendon, the 24-year-old Italian has suddenly found herself among the top contenders week after week, a shift that the established order is clearly having to adjust to. On Saturday in Merksplas Belgium, Lucinda Brand wasn’t too pleased with the tenacity Casasola showed during a decisive phase. A day later, in Hamme, IDLProCycling.com gave Casasola the chance to respond to Brand's words.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Without Casasola's action, that gap wouldn't have happened, then it would have been a gamble until the end. I had to come back; I hate that," said Brand, referring to a steep hill where Casasola boldly cut inside. This move slowed both riders down, allowing Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado to break away and win in Merksplas. Brand finished second, while Casasola took fourth place.
"I know it may have been a bit much, but it was nothing against Lucinda," Casasola said after taking third place in Hamme. "I wanted to be in her wheel but ended up halfway beside her, so my choice was to either crash or make some meters going uphill. I did what I had to do, even though the line between right and wrong can sometimes be thin for others. But it’s racing, and everyone does what they need to when the moment calls for it."
Read more below the photo.
Casasola and Brand have to get off their bikes after making contact
Casasola won’t hold back against the established stars
"Maybe it's due to the young age," Brand added on Saturday. The Dutch champion from Baloise Trek Lions clearly had her eye on the Italian. "I have often thought: ow! That's also a bit cyclo-cross, but she usually doesn't benefit. Then it's annoying, so when I get the chance, I'll point that out again."
A conversation didn’t happen on Sunday. "I haven’t talked with Lucinda about it, but I hope we’re friends," Casasola laughed, issuing a warning to the top competitors: she’s not going to ease up in the coming weeks. "I take risks when necessary, I think. I try not to do it too much because nobody wants to crash in a stupid way. But if I see an opportunity, I go for it. Sometimes I’m still a bit too nice. I should command a bit more respect."
Read more below the photo.
Sara Casasola
Casasola hopes to close the gap with Brand and Alvarado
10, 2, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 3. No one can ignore that Casasola is currently among the top four cyclo-cross riders in the world. Fem van Empel, Brand and Alvarado won’t easily shake off the Italian’s grit in the coming weeks. "It still feels great to get on the podium, but I’m getting closer. When you get close, you want more, but I’m riding well and just missing that little bit."
She hopes to find that missing piece in the coming weeks, though Casasola knows her competitors can still up their game as well. "I hope it comes. It’s getting better and better, but I need to be more aggressive and smarter in the final. I need to work on that — improving my weaknesses, but hopefully, that will come with more races."
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Cyclocross legend Lars van der Haar had a tough time after retiring from cyclocross: 'It was over pretty quickly'
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Latest Cycling News
'Rest assured: we will succeed': Van Rysel CEO makes big claims on behalf of Seixas and Decathlon CMA CGM
Complications surround Wout van Aert's World Cyclocross Championship start
Lafay leaves Unibet Rose Rockets, without riding a single kilometre for them: 'I haven’t given up hope'
Alaphilippe speaks out on sudden retirement at French award gala: ' He saw me in the rainbow jersey, but also on my knees'
Extensive evidence of use of N-word, homophobia, and Asian-hate by track cyclist Matthew Richardson revealed
Popular Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Extensive evidence of use of N-word, homophobia, and Asian-hate by track cyclist Matthew Richardson revealed
Latest Comments
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026
- Pointing to three former riders doesn’t settle what nearly 100 people have reportedly shared. Hopefully the review looks at the team’s systems and culture, not just whose version of events sounds more convincing.julien13-11-2026
- Eight questions or 23? That’s a pretty significant difference in the accounts, and it’d be useful to know exactly what was sent and when.robert6513-11-2026
- Kittel’s position sounds more nuanced than Spekenbrink suggests: he didn’t endorse the “culture of fear” label, but still called for the team to be looked at critically. That distinction matters.bikebuffj13-11-2026
- The independent investigation is the important bit now. It needs to give current staff a safe way to speak honestly, not just become another round of public statements.michael5413-11-2026
- One Lombardia doesn’t tell us how Seixas will handle a full Grand Tour. I’d rather see him develop steadily than have every result turned into a Pogačar comparison.samanthak12-11-2026
- Pogacar is 30 already? I thought he was younger. If he keeps winning like this, how long can he realistically ride at the top?jeremya12-11-2026
- Interesting that Thomas made the comparison while speaking to Rowe, given Decathlon’s hopes of keeping Seixas and the reports linking INEOS with him. Praise, or a subtle message to a potential signing?gearguru3312-11-2026
- Seixas winning Il Lombardia at this age is a huge statement. The Pogačar comparisons are inevitable, but Thomas is right to leave room for both of them to keep improving—Pog is still setting the bar.robert6512-11-2026
- A fascinating career, but the article leans heavily on his side of the story. Were the three disqualifications all for the same equipment rule, or were there different issues each time?michael5412-11-2026