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Follow us on GoogleLucinda Brand was the strongest and most competent in Diegem. In artificial light, the Dutch champion overpowered Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who had to accept her defeat. Inge van der Heijden finished third and was very happy.
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"Maybe this was the highest achievable today, who knows," Alvarado said in the flash interview. "That bike change wasn't so convenient and was the deciding factor. Lucinda saw an opportunity, and she grabbed it with both hands. So, was this the highest possible? Yes and no, actually."
The Fenix-Deceunick rider still did everything she could to return, and almost one lap later, when the sandpit loomed again, she made an all-or-nothing attempt. "I knew it would be difficult, but I almost came close to her wheel. Then she glanced at me, saw I wasn't behind her yet, and accelerated. At that point, I had no answer to her attack."
So it remains an exciting battle between the two Dutch ladies in the Superprestige ranking. "Yes, one point. If we keep fighting and there is always only one place between us regarding the results, it will remain exciting. But that also means she needs two more points than me, so we'll see with two races to go," Alvarado adds.
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Van der Heijden nearly misses podium
For Inge van der Heijden, the podium was more than welcome. "Third place is very important to me. A podium always feels good. I was close in the last few races but never close enough to make the podium. Now I am, and I'm pleased about that."
However, it almost went wrong at the end of the last lap when Van der Heijden's chain came off. "I hoped they were far enough behind me, and luckily they were. On the descent, my chain bounced off in the turn and got stuck. I got it back on quickly, so I'm glad it was enough. I tried to stay calm, but it fell right off the first time. On the second try, it did stay on. Then, luckily, I succeeded and managed to finish third," the 25-year-old Corendon rider concluded.
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'.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- 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