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Follow us on GoogleLucinda Brand won the Superprestige in Overijse on Sunday. The world champion from Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions reestablished the balance of power and was by far the strongest rider in the first overall-standings race of the year. She relegated Aniek van Alphen (777) and Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) to the remaining podium spots.
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A number of HG cyclocross races had already taken place, but this Sunday marked the true start of the cyclocross season. It was time for the first Superprestige race of the winter, featuring the “mother of all cyclocross races” in Overijse.
The first Superprestige saw a stacked field line up
The muddy course would be contested by, among others, world champion Lucinda Brand, European champion Inge van der Heijden, and Dutch champion Ceylin Alvarado.
But the foreign challengers Amandine Fouquenet and Kristyna Zemanova were also there. However, it was the Dutch women who took the lead right from the start.
Van der Heijden, Brand, and Denise Betsema—who was in top form—got off to a strong start, but Fouquenet crept up alongside them. Behind them, a gap was already forming on the hilly course.
Alvarado gave herself plenty of work to do in Overijse
Aniek van Alphen and Zemanova had to close a gap after just one lap, while Alvarado was still trailing behind them after a mediocre start.
She had won in Heerde the day before, but now had some ground to make up. She wasn’t able to do that, but Van Alphen was able to move up and immediately took the lead.
However, as the leading group became increasingly crowded, the pace slowed down again slightly.
Read more below the photo!
Alvarado had won in Heerde just last Saturday.
Brand sets her demons free
Later, Van Alphen broke up the group again with a fresh burst of speed. Brand and Van der Heijden proved to be the freshest of the other front-runners.
Fouquenet and Betsema had to concede ground once again, especially when Brand took the lead for the first time. She made her move on the longer climbs and gained a small lead over her compatriots.
Brand showed the strength that made her World Champion
And then she was unstoppable. She quickly extended her five-second lead. Van Alphen and Van der Heijden proved to be much stronger than the competition, though they trailed the world champion, whose lead grew from fifteen to twenty seconds.
Behind them, Van Alphen pulled away from the European champion. The 777 rider did a great job of keeping pace with the leader, but couldn’t get any closer.
Alvarado was somewhat of a disappointment and was no longer in contention for the top spots, where the battle for the podium was between Van Alphen and Van der Heijden.
In the end, Van Alphen proved to be the strongest and secured second place. Van der Heijden finished third, though at a respectable distance from winner Brand, who thus took the lead in the standings.
Superprestige Overijse 2026 Results - Women
1. Lucinda Brand
2. Aniek van Alphen + 0.17
3. Inge van der Heijden + 0.36
4. Amandine Fouquenet + 1.04
5. Denise Betsema + 1.07
2. Aniek van Alphen + 0.17
3. Inge van der Heijden + 0.36
4. Amandine Fouquenet + 1.04
5. Denise Betsema + 1.07
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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
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- If Pogačar crashed badly, does that mean he might not be fully fit for the Tour?julien23-10-2026
- Edinburgh for the Grand Départ is brilliant news. The crowds in Yorkshire were incredible, and Scotland could be just as special.pedalpowe2923-10-2026
- Froome’s point about the mountains is spot on: the extra TT distance gives the other GC contenders a real reason to race aggressively before the final climbs.tourdeforce923-10-2026
- 71km of time trialling should make things much more interesting. Remco will fancy his chances, but you can never write Pogačar off.lindae23-10-2026
- I’m still figuring out how time trials affect the overall race. If Evenepoel gains time there, will Pogačar have enough mountain stages left to make it back? The route sounds exciting, but I’m not sure how much difference 71km makes.davidm22-10-2026
- Two 223km stages in the opening week could make for a proper nervous start. Those narrow British roads and potholes might have the GC favourites watching every corner.jennifer1922-10-2026
- That Pau–Portet stage sounds absolutely savage: Tourmalet, Soulor, Hourquette d’Ancizan and then the Portet. Vingegaard should suit those long climbs, though Pogačar is hardly easy to shake.julien22-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock gives Evenepoel a real chance to put pressure on Pogačar, but those Pyrenean stages look brutal. Could be a cracking final week if the time gaps stay close.sprocketspiny22-10-2026
- Not sure we can call this a perfect Evenepoel route before we’ve seen the start list. Plenty of time-trialling, yes, but those Pyrenees stages look absolutely savage. Could be a great Tour, though.julien22-10-2026
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