Round up of controversial aftermath of Women's European Cyclocross Championships: 'We would have liked to see it go differently. Period'

Schreiber—who made a big impression on the climbs—entered the final lap alongside Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Brand. After Alvarado took a hard fall, it turned into a two-way sprint. During the sprint, the Luxembourg rider briefly changed gears and direction, forcing Brand to hold back for a moment.

Brand was the first to congratulate her opponent. “She was the strongest,” she would say a moment later. Team manager Sven Nys agreed with her. “Schreiber is going home disappointed, and that shouldn’t be the case,” he said—sportsmanlike as ever. Schreiber—who skipped the podium ceremony—repeatedly called it a disrespectful decision.

So how exactly does a jury trial like this work? Interestingly, it’s not up to the riders, the federation, or the team to file a complaint. “Of course, it took a very long time before the podium ceremony began, until they were called before the jury,” explains De Knegt, who was with Alvarado when she fell.

"When I spoke with Lucinda, I asked her if we should review it," the national team coach continued. “But we decided that wasn’t necessary, so it wasn’t a complaint on our part. It was purely the jury’s decision. They decide, and we have to accept that. Lucinda is now on the list of winners, but we would have liked to see it go differently. Period.”

Technical Director Wilbert Broekhuizen explains how it works. “The jury deliberates, and the head judge signs off on the decision.” In this case, the man who rendered the verdict was the Italian Ernesto Maggiono: the so-called President of the Commissaires Panel at the European Cyclocross Championships in Zeddam.

"We can't even file a protest—no one can, really. That option is completely off the table," Broekhuizen continues. “The riders were summoned to the jury car, but that wasn’t for a deliberation. They’re informed of the decision, but it’s not as if they can still present any arguments at that point.”

Schreiber had already explained that that was indeed how it happened, despite the fact that they were both still trying to make their cases. “We reviewed the footage and heard both my and Lucinda’s perspectives… and Lucinda said I hadn’t done anything wrong, because she wouldn’t have been able to pass me anyway. I’m very grateful that she said that, but it doesn’t change the commissioners’ decision.”

Brand also offered a similar explanation. “I didn’t ask for a review or anything. I already had the feeling myself that I just didn’t have quite enough speed to clear it. Gerben asked me about it, and I said, ‘Yeah, we don’t need to ask for that footage again.’” I gave my opinion, and then it was up to the judges to take that into account in their decision. I also had Marie communicate in French, because she could explain her feelings better that way. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.'

"Ultimately, the jury decides for itself to review it a hundred times, and then it’s their choice," Brand says, washing her hands of the matter. Just as team manager Nys had done earlier. “I don’t think it’s fair either. It’s the jury’s decision. Lucinda also told me right away that Schreiber deserved to win,” he repeated the words of both his protégé and the Dutch national coach.

De Knegt has the final word. “I can’t say any more about it. This is what it is. Thank you, guys.”