Brand storms to a fifth victory in Namur

Lucinda Brand claimed the fourth World Cup win of the season in Namur. She led from start to finish, securing her fifth victory in the Citadelcross.

Amandine Fouquenet (Arkea B&B Hotels Woman) got the fastest start on the Citadel of Namur, but Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) was unstoppable and took the lead halfway through the first lap. Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing) also stood out, quickly moving up to third place.

Brand never looked back, extending her lead lap after lap. Even a puncture couldn’t stop her from winning. In the background, a battle unfolded between Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing), and Amandine Fouquenet. Pieterse, making her return to the cyclocross scene, steadily moved up but had to get back into race rhythm, ultimately finishing just off the podium.

Aniek van Alphen, World Cup leader, took second place, maintaining her position in the standings with a one-point lead over Brand. French rider Amandine Fouquenet rounded out the podium in third, just seconds behind Van Alphen.