Casasola claims victory in Overijse
Italian rider Casasola won the second round of the 2025–2026 Telenet Superprestige in Overijse. She rode solo to victory after Brand crashed in the penultimate lap. Van Alphen finished in third place.
At the start of the race, Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions), Vas (Team SD Worx – Protime) and Fouquenet (Arkea - B&B Hotels Women) immediately pushed the pace. One of the early victims of this acceleration was Belgian champion Norbert Riberolle, the winner at Ruddervoorde. Her race did not start as hoped: after just half a lap she had to visit the pit with mechanical problems and change bikes. By the end of the first lap, she was already 37 seconds behind, facing a tough chase.
Entering lap two, Italian Casasola (Crelan-Corendon) had moved to the front. She went ahead with Brand, and Van Alphen (Seven Racing) managed to keep up with them. By the end of lap two, the three had an 11-second lead, with Brand continuing to push the pace. Casasola and Brand set the pace, while for Van Alphen it gradually became too fast. By lap four, she had to let go, leaving Casasola and Brand as the two leaders in the race.
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In the penultimate lap, a thrilling finale seemed imminent until Brand hit a post and crashed. Casasola began the final lap alone, with Brand 12 seconds behind. Brand could not make up the deficit, and Casasola rode comfortably to victory.
There was a brief moment of suspense for second place, as Van Alphen closed in on Brand in the final lap. In the end, Brand held on for second place, 28 seconds behind Casasola, while Van Alphen finished third, 37 seconds back. Casasola also takes over as the new leader in the overall standings.
