Dutch cross star Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado earned her third career Superprestige series title on Saturday after the final round, the Noordzeecross in Middelkerke on a muddy course. Alvarado now has three Superprestige series, one World Cup (this season’s) and one X2O Badkamers Trofee. Lucinda Brand romped to her fifth victory of 2023-2024.
After winning three rounds in a row Alvarado came into Middelkerke with a six-point lead on Annemarie Worst. It was Alvarado’s final race of the season, her back worrying her as the winter stretched out.
Alvarado took the hole shot on Lap 1 but she fell while remounting. Lucinda Brand assumed the lead. Alvarado and Worst were her closest pursuers, Leonie Bentveld and Laura Verdonschot in Positions 4 and 5. Brand’s 25-second gap was significant after one circuit of the mucky 2.775-km course.
Alvarado put a length of mud between her and Worst going into Lap 2 of 5, Bentveld and Verdonschot continuing to chase the podium. The riders started to have problems on the whoops section.
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On Lap 3, Verdonschot passed Worst, closed on Alvarado, and then powered by the series leader. Worst crashed at the start of the sand section, allowing Bentveld to close in.
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The penultimate lap saw Marion Norbert Riberolle join Bentveld and Worst and then move through them. Brand, Verdonschot and Alvarado carried on with the gaps stabilized. Brand had almost a minute when she head the bell.
Brand had plenty of time to celebrate. She has finished off the podium only thrice this season.
2023-2024 Superprestige, Round 8, Middelkerke
1) Lucinda Brand (The Netherlands/Baloise Trek Lions) 46:01
2) Laura Verdonschot (Belgium/De Ceuster-Bonache) +1:15
3) Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (The Netherlands/Alpecin-Deceuninck) +1:41
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