Alvarado scores a hat-trick in Niel

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado achieved an impressive solo victory in muddy conditions in Niel. She moved forward early in the race and managed to extend her lead over Lucinda Brand further. It is the Dutchwoman’s third victory in a row in the Jaarmarktcross.

It was Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) who entered the field first. Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bouwpunt) and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) followed in her wake. Verdonschot took the initiative on the first sand section, but Alvarado’s response was not long in coming. She passed Verdonschot just before the first transition zone and immediately took the lead. Meanwhile, Lucinda Brand started to make progress, moving up from fourth to second place, thanks to a strong stretch.

When Alvarado first crossed the finishing line, she already had a nine-second gap ahead of Van der Heijden and Brand. She successfully kept up the pressure and extended her lead to 20 seconds in the second lap. Brand could not keep up with the fast pace and slowly lost ground, while Casasola moved up to third place. By the end of the lap, Alvarado had extended her lead to 35 seconds over Brand and 45 seconds over Casasola.

In the fourth lap, the battle for second place became especially exciting. Casasola joined Brand after the Dutch champion had equipment failure. The duo stayed together behind Alvarado, who increased her lead further. With a 52-second lead, Alvarado could already sense victory as she started the final lap. The chasing duo, Casasola and Brand, remained engaged in a fierce battle. Meanwhile, Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon) moved up from behind. The Belgian succeeded in catching up, so it was up to three riders who would make it to the podium.

Alvarado kept her cool and rode solo to victory. Lucinda Brand fought her way to second place, 21 seconds behind. Norbert Riberolle finally made it to third place. Casasola had to settle for fourth place. Alvarado thus completed her hat-trick with a third consecutive victory in Niel.