Kata Blanka Vas wins after thriller in Maasmechelen

Kata Blanka Vas claimed victory in the UCI World Cup round in Maasmechelen. On a very tough course, she engaged in a hard-fought battle with Zoe Backstedt and Lucinda Brand.

Except for Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), all the favourites got off to a good start. Kata Blanka Vas (Team SD Worx – Protime) set the pace in the opening lap, but significant gaps were yet to develop. A mistake at the start of the second lap cost Fem van Empel (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) a few places. The world champion would not play a significant role in Limburg. Vas kept the pace high on the muddy surface in Maasmechelen and managed to keep all her rivals at bay.

After her poor start, Pieterse made up a lot of ground and joined forces with Zoe Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM Racing) in the chase after Vas. The British rider left Pieterse behind on the third lap and shortly after caught up with Vas. The two leaders went into the pit area, which enabled Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) and Puck Pieterse to reconnect.

Backstedt was clearly feeling strong on the demanding course and opened a small gap at the start of the penultimate lap, but then she made a mistake on the slanted section. That enabled Brand, Vas, and Pieterse to catch up at the front. Backstedt was proving to be the strongest on the climbs. At the end of the fourth lap, she ramped up the pressure on her challengers.

The start of the final lap was a carbon copy of the previous one. Backstedt had a small lead but lost it after another mistake on the slanted section. This left Vas suddenly alone at the front. Backstedt and Brand edged closer to the Hungarian’s wheel in the closing stages, but Vas held on for victory. Backstedt finished second ahead of Brand, who with her third place secured overall victory in the 2024-2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.