Lucinda Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions) gave her rivals for next weekend’s UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships a morale boost after finishing 10th at the penultimate World Cup round in Maasmechelen – ending a run of 63 consecutive podium placings.
The 36-year-old has been in commanding form this season with 18 wins from 23 races, and the World Cup overall series wrapped up.
She won last weekend’s World Cup round in Benidorm by just 10 seconds, but was never in contention on the fast and technical course in Maasmechelen on Saturday.
“Lucinda said before the start that she doesn’t have the freshest legs,” Nys told Sporza.
“Lucinda has had a tough week of training with a view to the world championships. As a result, she is a bit less fresh today. But that’s no reason to panic.”
However, like her rivals, she used the previous weekend’s World Cup in Benidorm as part of a training block, with the cyclo-cross Worlds and the forthcoming road season in mind.
Before the race, Brand predicted that if a front group got away from her, it would be difficult to bridge back across. “I think (the legs) are OK,” said Brand.
“I’m still getting into it a little bit, but I think they will be fine. Some parts are really tricky with the little banks.
“Of course, if you have a moment where it is going a little less…
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