Casasola makes the final lap exciting, but Lucinda Brand proves too strong at the Hamme-Zogge cyclocross
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleLucinda Brand won the X2O Trophy in Hamme on Sunday. The world champion pulled ahead in the Bollekescross after a fantastic final lap, during which Sara Casasola gave her a very tough time. It wasn’t until the final straight that the Italian had to concede defeat. Third place went to Amandine Fouquenet.
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The Bollekescross is back! 2013 was the last year the Hamme-Zogge cross race was held on this course. It was a beautiful, classic loop, and the women had only raced it three times.
For Lucinda Brand, who made a strong comeback in Merksplas after her injury and won right away, this would be her first time on this course.
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It was breakaway specialist Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez) who took the lead at the start, but her teammate Leonie Bentveld, Brand, and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster) were also off to a strong start right away.
However, the world champion wanted to turn up the pressure right from the start and took over the lead. This meant that a small breakaway group quickly formed.
After one lap, Betsema and Fouquenet were in the lead, while Bentveld, Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon), and a small group of outsiders had to close a small gap.
But the course in Hamme-Zogge proved too difficult to make a difference. It was fast and not particularly technical. As a result, the contenders stayed together and kept an eye on each other.
Read more below the photo!
A leading group of 5 battles for the win
Sara Casasola (Crelan-Corendon) had a dramatic start, but the slower pace allowed her to catch up to the lead group, and she rejoined them on the third lap.
On that same lap, Alicia Franck (X-Oats Lotto) took a hard fall and had to let the leaders go. Betsema then chose to put pressure on her competitors, but Brand responded.
The world champion took the lead and pushed hard. Betsema and Manon Bakker kept up, but a gap opened up behind them.
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Casasola, who was closing in at breakneck speed, eventually caught up, but Fouquenet also managed to come back. In the final two laps, anything could have happened. It was the Italian champion who was up for the challenge in the final lap.
She took the lead and put pressure on her rivals, but Brand was right there with her. She passed her in the second half of the lap, but Casasola kept up.
Casasola didn’t give the world champion an inch, while the rest lost a bit of ground. The battle for the win came down to those two riders, but Brand used her strength to make the difference. She was unable to prevent a sprint, however—and in the end, she was still the strongest there.
Results of the X2O Trophy in Hamme 2026
1. Lucinda Brand
2. Sara Casasola + 0.02
3. Amandine Fouquenet + 0.10
4. Manon Bakker + 0.12
5. Denise Betsema + 0.19
2. Sara Casasola + 0.02
3. Amandine Fouquenet + 0.10
4. Manon Bakker + 0.12
5. Denise Betsema + 0.19
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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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