From mediocre start to podium finish: Lucinda Brand's dramatic World Cup race: "Two things were not ideal"

The Baloise Trek Lions rider had a mediocre start. "That was certainly not the start I had hoped for," Brand told IDLProCycling.com after the race. Immediately after the start, there was a long climb into the field, where Brand had already lost many positions. "Like I was standing still on the climb."

A catch-up race was the only thing that could save her. "Fortunately, I found my rhythm later, which made me race better uphill. Then, you soon start trying to gain places and make more mistakes. So then I could often start all over again."

According to Brand herself, the slow start is due to her age and her back. "I'm not the youngest anymore. Then I often have trouble with the first few minutes because you start cold. Starting has never suited me, but completely cooled off full throttle certainly doesn't. I struggle with my back, and if I ignore it, I have trouble applying power. That combination is not ideal."

Compared to her rivals in Namur, Ceylin del Carmin Alvarado (26) and Puck Pieterse (22), Brand, with her 35 years, is just under ten years older than her two compatriots. Does she notice much of that in the race? "I try to ignore it. I do a good warm-up. I'm already not the most explosive rider. If I feel fine, I'm okay. But I can have trouble if I do not feel completely fine. It's not because of strength; otherwise, I couldn't shoot forward like that."

After all, Brand contrived to get - from the bunch - to the front of the race. Only in the final laps around and on the Citadel of Namur did she seem to find the connection with Alvarado, who had been riding in the lead throughout the race and eventually took the win. "I did think about winning. You get closer and closer, so I gave everything. She only has to have one little hitch, and you still have it."

According to herself, Brand may be at an advanced age, but her experience earned her second place in Namur's always tricky and challenging cross. "On this course, you have to stay calm and find your pace. There are always a few who mess up. If you spend too much time worrying about a mistake, you will keep making mistakes. You have to try to flip the switch consciously. Otherwise, you definitely wouldn't have succeeded today."