Lidl-Trek presented Lucinda Brand with a tough choice, and she chose Sven Nys with all her heart

Brand rode for Lidl-Trek for a total of seven seasons. That was thanks to Nys, the Dutch women’s cyclocross world champion explains in a post on her social media channels. “Eight years ago, Sven traveled to Rotterdam with a story, a dream, and a plan. When I had lost my joy in cycling, Sven brought it back.”

Through Nys, Brand ended up at Lidl-Trek (then Trek-Segafredo), allowing her to combine cyclocross and road racing. In Nys and Lidl-Trek team manager Luca Guercilena, Brand found two men who both shared the same passion. Brand rediscovered her love for cycling and, together with Nys, dreamed of winning the world title in cyclocross. “In Ostend, we made it happen and became world champions.”

Lidl-Trek is currently undergoing a transformation, with its focus almost entirely on road racing. Brand said he had the option to re-sign, but that would have meant leaving Nys’s Lions. A “difficult choice” for Brand—but then again, not really. “If I wanted to stay, I would have had to leave behind the man who believed in me when I needed it most—the man who helped me become the rider I am today.”

Brand thanked Lidl-Trek for the offer and signed a new contract with Nys’s cyclocross team. She speaks of “unforgettable moments” on the road, but: “For me, it was never really a choice. Some things in life are more important than results, contracts, or opportunities: loyalty, trust, and family.”

Brand confidently takes the turn toward Nys at an intersection, heading to her “second home.” “I’m incredibly proud and happy to continue racing for Baloise-Het Poetsbureau for the next two years. It means saying goodbye to Lidl-Trek—a chapter I’ll always look back on with a big smile and so much gratitude.”

"Don't worry; my cycling story is far from over. An exciting new chapter is about to begin. Next week, I'll tell you where I'll be racing on the road."